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...
Two category 4 hurricanes hitting the United States within two weeks created an opportunity for Midwest Food Bank to share God's love. Our partnership with The Salvation Army allows us to offer help early and often. Loads of family food boxes, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies were sent to victims of both Harvey (Texas) and Irma (Florida). In all ...
People that come to Crossroads Community Cathedral Food Pantry in East Hartford get a bag of groceries delivered with a smile.This pantry serves about 100 families from East Hartford and Manchester weekly, and some people drive 25 miles to access the pantry. Crossroads is located in a church and has about 15 volunteers, says Amy Rivera, food p...
"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35-36In Bridgeport, CT, people of all ages and circumstances have access to food...
"Sure thing, I can do that." That's how volunteer Karl Hasel responds when asked to help with something. After 45 years as an aerospace engineer designing advanced jet engines, he shares his retirement time with MFB New England. He's part of the "Tuesday morning crew" that gets work done, week in and week out."Karl has been one of the reasons ...
Midwest Food Bank began an organization-wide focus on safety in 2021. Rather than being a one-time effort, this initiative is ongoing with specific goals. It was an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen safety measures already in place. Mike Hoffman, MBF's Inventory and Logistics Director, leads the safety initiative. "Providing a safe work e...
Midwest Food Bank Values include Embrace Our Communities and Empowering Volunteers. One of the ways we do this is by providing clean, efficient, safe, and comfortable gathering places. At MFB, we work hard to maintain clean, inviting warehouses. To keep them well maintained and organized, we have standards, prioritize investment, and have safety co...
While food insecurity is rapidly rising, the world is expected to waste 2.1 million tons of food annually by 2030, according to Yale research. In the United States alone, $408 billion was spent on food in 2021 that was never eaten. That's nearly a quarter of US food going to waste instead of to those who need it. On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Mid...
"All in" is how Brent Carl describes an energetic volunteer at Midwest Food Bank New England. That volunteer is Linda Spinelli, and she started volunteering after a tour given by Brent, the Volunteer and Community Relations Manager at MFB. This was during the "open to the community" volunteer events. "From the moment she came to volu...
Tender Mercies meals are designed by dieticians to be more than a rice and beans meal. There is nutrition in every bag. Every serving of Tender Mercies has: • The calcium of one glass of milk• The iron of two and a half cups of spinach.• The potassium of two bananas.• The protein of 3 ounces of fish. With such a nutritious product, MFB wondere...
When people think about donating to Midwest Food Bank, they often think of the three Cs: Cash, Check, Credit card. While these three are very common, there are many ways to make a contribution to MFB. We understand our donors appreciate the opportunity to give in a variety of ways. To make it easy for donors, MFB has assembled instructions and insi...
We've all felt the pinch of rising food and gas prices. But for people who fall into the category of "food insecure," those prices create a budget where the math can't add up. It's not just a hunch that prices are rising. The Consumer Price Index shows an 8.8% increase in food prices in March 2022, the most significant 12-month advance since May 19...
The numbers say Midwest Food Bank gave about $430 million worth of food at no cost to about 2,100 food partners in the U.S. and around the world in 2021. That $430 million number represents the food those food partners receive from MFB - at no cost. That's a big deal as it allows them to use their money in other areas of their ministries - like fue...
A car drove around Waterbury Worship Center Church a few times. It was a day when food was being distributed for free, and volunteer Ruth Ann Barrett noticed the car. That's when she looked for an opportunity to approach the driver and have a conversation. The volunteer team at Waterbury Worship Center built a bridge and eliminated ...
When Jill Welti worked as a dental hygienist, not everyone was excited to see her. "I like that everyone is happy to be at Midwest Food Bank," says Jill. "Not everyone was happy to come to the dentist." Now retired, Jill says spending time at MFB New England fills her time with something purposeful. "I receive much more than I give," says Jill.&nbs...
Podcasts are here to stay, and they have exploded in popularity. Consider this: there are about 4.5 million podcasts registered globally, and 57% of people in the US have listened to at least one podcast (according to thepodcasthost.com). Because podcasts are easily accessible and allow listeners to zero in on content that interests them whene...
Cheryl Poulin offered to "do whatever is needed" when she started volunteering at Midwest Food Bank New England. That offer turned into building automation into our Excel inventory spreadsheets to help us be efficient and accurate. While that might make some people turn in the other direction, Cheryl has taken on the challenge. Volunteeri...
Will R. spends as much time as he can at The Friendship Center. He says it helps him "stay out of trouble." The Friendship Center is one of five Mercy Housing and Shelter programs in Hartford, CT, working to break the cycle of homelessness. This day shelter is where Will eats breakfast and lunch five days a week. He can also take a shower...
One of John Pesaturo's spare-time activities is fixing up used bicycles and donating them to children in need. With a giving heart like that, John is a natural fit for Midwest Food Bank. As MFB New England's new Operations Manager, John brings 15 years of warehouse management with him. He is responsible for food procurement, inventory, an...