MFB Welcomes New Employees

Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal welcomes Erin Jennings as the new Agency Coordinator. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to nonprofit advocacy to our mission. In her role, Erin will foster strong relationships with the non-profit agencies we serve.

Aimee Beam, Executive Director of MFB Bloomington-Normal, welcomed Erin, saying, "She's a perfect fit for MFB's mission, and we are thrilled to have her on the team."

Erin's journey is rooted in the Bloomington-Normal community. "I grew up here and ran my father's painting business while attending Lincoln Christian College," she says. "In Chicago, I worked in event planning, gaining coordination experience."

In 2021, Erin returned to Bloomington-Normal as the Director of Development at Child Protection Network. Family and community are central to her life, as she actively participates in local Rotary clubs and enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with loved ones.

Erin officially joined Midwest Food Bank on November 20th. "I've volunteered here before and saw the posting on LinkedIn, so I applied," says Erin. "Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly."

We're excited to have Erin Jennings as part of the Midwest Food Bank family. She likes seeing the direct impact MFB has on the community. Her dedication and passion will undoubtedly contribute to our mission's success. Welcome, Erin!

Midwest Food Bank is excited to introduce our newest Central Team member, Gergely Bata, who joined us as our Creative Director at the end of the summer of 2022. Gergely brings a wealth of experience, a solid commitment to his work, and a heart dedicated to making a difference in our community.

In an era where it's common for professionals to switch companies every 1-2 years, Gergely stands out. He has worked for just three industry leaders in the past 15 years, working with some of the brightest and most remarkable individuals. His career began at Electrolux, one of the world's largest appliance companies, where he embarked on his journey in branding. Later, he moved to Horizon Hobby, becoming a Senior Design Lead in "Santa's Toy Factory," marketing drones, remote control cars, planes, and more. Around five years ago, Gergely began working with faith-based organizations, where he discovered Midwest Food Bank and its mission. He organized and led volunteer groups to support Midwest Food Bank multiple times yearly.

Just a week or two after mentioning his desire to work for a non-profit organization to his wife, Gergely found an opportunity at Midwest Food Bank. It seemed like a perfect fit.

Gergely's role as Creative Director at Midwest Food Bank is crucial. He will be responsible for showcasing the incredible real story of MFB. His background in design and marketing, along with his passion for creating impactful narratives, makes him a perfect addition to our team.

"Gergely's work and life experiences have equipped him for his role at Midwest Food Bank," says Jada Hoerr, Midwest Food Bank's Chief Resource Officer. "His talents and leadership skills will help us strengthen the brand with consistency and humility."

Born in Europe, Gergely made his way to Bloomington, Illinois, about 22 years ago, where he met his wonderful wife and started a family of his own. Together, they have two children, aged 6 and 3, and spending time with his family is his greatest joy.

What Gergely appreciates most about working at MFB is the people. "MFB has only a few full-time employees, but they are all kind and intelligent - the best of the best," says Gergely. "And the volunteers are just incredible."

We welcome Gergely to our Midwest Food Bank family. His dedication to his craft, commitment to his community, and passion for storytelling align perfectly with our mission. With Gergely on board, we look forward to creating an even more significant impact in the fight against hunger in our communities.

Midwest Food Bank Peoria welcomes Teri Kramer as our new Agency Coordinator. Teri brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our mission of alleviating hunger in Central Illinois.

Teri's journey with Midwest Food Bank began in 2019 when she started volunteering. She first heard about the organization through a neighbor with whom she attends Bible study. While volunteering in the warehouse, Teri learned about a job opportunity at MFB Peoria, and her desire to make a meaningful impact in her community led her to apply.

As Agency Coordinator, Teri interacts with our existing and potential Agency Partners. It is her favorite part of the job. Other responsibilities include:

• Managing scheduling for distribution.
• Conducting annual site inspections and certifications.
• Tracking distribution attendance.
• Providing support and answers to any questions our agency partners may have.

"Teri has been an invaluable asset to our team," says Michelle Hatfield, Operations Manager for MFB Peoria. "Because she has been a regular distribution volunteer for many years, she has jumped right in and hit the ground running."

Teri has been married to her husband, Tony, for 29 years, and together, they are proud parents to three daughters: Kaitlin, Kristen, and Karalyn. Their family is completed by two Goldendoodles, Teddy and Charlie.

Teri's journey has taken her across various states and different countries, including Michigan (three times!), Massachusetts (twice!), Iowa, New York, Indiana, Illinois, Australia, and Canada. Her diverse background in Finance and Economics, coupled with six years of experience in Commercial Banking with a focus on Real Estate, provides her with a unique perspective and skill set that she now brings to MFB Peoria.

When she's not busy at work, Teri enjoys traveling, attending college football games, reading, and spending quality time with her family. One of their favorite family pastimes is playing games.

"I am enjoying my return to the workforce with MFB," says Teri. "Everyone has been incredibly nice and tremendously supportive."

We're thrilled to have Teri Kramer on our team at Midwest Food Bank Peoria. Her dedication, diverse background, and passion for serving others are invaluable assets as we fight hunger and positively impact our community.