Perceptions and reality don't always match up. You might be surprised to learn that 53% of food-insecure people work full-time.So, the suggestion "Why don't they just get a job?" falls flat for more than half the people choosing between putting gas in their car, paying a utility bill, or going to the grocery store.The USDA defines food insecurity a...

When Henry isn't in school, you can most likely find him volunteering at Midwest Food Bank in Morton."It's fun, and I get to help people," he says.At 12 years old, Henry likes baseball and swimming. He also likes to volunteer. At MFB, he is "certified" in operating the hand-held pallet jack. The day he received that certification four years ago is ...

 Keep or pitch? That's the question everyone faces when cleaning out a refrigerator or a pantry. The date on the product is usually the determining factor if it stays or goes. But those dates are one of the biggest reasons that 30-40 percent of food in the United States is thrown away even though it is still safe to consume. The dates printed ...

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller One of Midwest Food Bank's Values is "Executing through Teamwork." MFB works as a team across all of our locations and within each division. We place a high priority on collaboration, many people working together to achieve a common goal. Here at MFB Morton, we get to obse...

MFB began a partnership with Amazon as a food donor in 2020. Since then, Amazon has provided loads of product across the MFB footprint and is a valued food donor for the organization. Some divisions have picked up Amazon Fresh regular loads - a tremendous source of nutritious and fresh food. That partnership continues to grow and expand in exciting...

Midwest Food Bank values our donors, and we make effective use of every gift with integrity. We frequently receive questions about various ways to give to MFB, and one mechanism – IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution - is a way that benefits donors and MFB. Making an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) You can donate up to $100,000 in...

"I have never in my life wondered where my next meal will come from," says Daniel. "MFB is making that a reality for others who aren't as fortunate." While Daniel has done some shorter local runs, most of his driving is longer hauls teamed with other drivers. He has completed several Disaster Relief runs to Florida and has made the Thanksgiving tri...

How Melanie Tennell became the new Marketing Director at MFB is a "God story." She felt a little unsettled in her previous position at Pekin Insurance when her former boss Jackie reached out to her. Jackie connected Melanie with her acquaintance, Jada Hoerr, MFB Chief Resource Officer. "God's timing prevails," says Melanie. "Every. Single. Tim...

MFB Morton volunteers showed up big time in 2022. Have a look at the numbers: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization," says Lisa Martin, Executive Director of MFB Morton. "We could not do this amount of work and reach so many people without the many hours they spend in the Morton warehouse." The volunteer impact reaches far and wide...

Have you ever wondered what a nonprofit board does? Like all nonprofits, Midwest Food Bank is governed by a board of Directors. These twelve volunteers provide strategic and financial oversight for the organization. Additionally, each of the twelve MFB locations has an advisory board. While the employees lead the daily operations, the board pl...

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  I Thessalonians 5:11 On November 30 and December 1, Midwest Food Bank Directors for all US location met in Morton, IL, for two days of encouragement, fellowship, and support. This included directors from Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Il...

Big or small - businesses have found a way to support Midwest Food Bank. From a coffee shop to a grocery store chain to a heavy equipment manufacturer, they've all found ways to contribute to our mission. Their support comes in a variety of ways as they create a culture of giving. Here are a few ways they impact nonprofits. 1. Grants - Some busines...

From manufacturing to healthcare to Midwest Food Bank, Temple Roe has a professional path that will be an asset to MFB. She joined the MFB staff as Human Resources Director this fall. "I'm thrilled to have found my way into a non-profit that provides to so many families and communities in need," says Temple. As the HR Director for Midwest Food...

In his own words, MFB Morton volunteer Steve Nichols isn't retired. He's "unscheduled." He also has always been good at fixing things. Over the past 40 years, Steve has owned three businesses utilizing that skill. His work included woodworking and handyman services. Steve's ability to fix things helped him in technical writing and consulting. He sh...

Safety in and around Midwest Food Bank is a priority, and MFB Morton is thankful for a grant that helped fund that priority. This year MFB Morton received $3,000 to be used for security cameras to be installed at the warehouse."Providing a safe environment is one of the ways MFB demonstrates our regard for everyone," says Lisa Martin, Executive Dir...

Hindsight is 20/20, and as Midwest Food Bank Morton celebrates its 10th anniversary, we can now see how God was putting things in place over the last decade.The story starts much earlier. MFB was established in 2003 in Bloomington, Illinois, and just a couple of years later, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Everyone across the United States of...

Nussbaum Trucking saw a need and provided a solution. The need - the CDL driving course at Heartland College had grown beyond the college's ability to manage. The solution - the Nussbaum Trucking Academy at Heartland Community College in Normal. The Academy started in the fall of 2021, and so far, 58 students have completed training and education t...

God provides before we even know it's needed. That happens all the time at Midwest Food Bank. Nancy Bucher stopped at MFB Morton to see if there was a need for a volunteer bookkeeper. There wasn't an immediate need, but one soon arose. "I gave Nancy a call and she came and stepped right into the role," says Lisa Martin, executive director in Morton...

Midwest Food Bank has five values that are based on the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. Our facilities are intentionally designed so we can embrace our community, with kitchens, Conference Rooms, and project space in our warehouses. Here is a look at what "Embracing Our Communities" means to MFB. MFB's mission&nb...

Before a disaster hits, Midwest Food Bank is ready. Being ready means providing what is needed for that particular disaster because flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes differ. But the common denominator is the people in the middle of those disasters. Mike Hoffman, director of inventory and logistics for MFB, says helping people through t...