ARIZONA
Albertson's Grant Supports Midwest Food Bank Arizona's Hope Packs
As students across Arizona returned to school, Midwest Food Bank Arizona packed and distributed over 30,000 Hope Packs. These packs provide essential weekend snacks to students who rely on school meals during the week. The goal is to prevent hunger on weekends for children from low-income families.
A significant contributor to this effort was a $10,000 grant from Albertson's "Fight Hunger, Serve Hope" campaign. This grant helped Midwest Food Bank package around 9,000 Hope Packs for 500 students in Tucson. These students will receive a pack every Friday for the first half of the school year, ensuring they have food over the weekends.
"Providing Hope Packs to Arizona students is one of our most important initiatives," says Merilee Baptiste, Executive Director of Midwest Food Bank Arizona. "Hunger doesn't stop when the school day ends, and these packs offer a sense of security to students and their families."
The success of the program relies on volunteers like Curt Kaufman, who manages the Tucson Satellite of Midwest Food Bank. His efforts support 65 non-profits in Southern Arizona. Kaufman recently received a message from a Robison Elementary parent expressing gratitude for the packs: "My child just came home very happy from school Friday with her snack bag...It was a very helpful weekend snack! We are very grateful."
Through initiatives like Hope Packs, Midwest Food Bank Arizona ensures that vulnerable students across the state don't go hungry, offering relief to both children and their families. Learn how you can support this effort here.
FLORIDA
Game-Changer: Midwest Food Bank's Impact on Special Olympics Teams
Special Olympics athletes face many challenges on their journey to success, but thanks to Midwest Food Bank Florida, nutrition isn't one of them. Coaches Jackie Williams and Maria Rodriguez, who lead Special Olympics Unified Sports teams, rely on Midwest Food Bank to supply athletes with essential snacks and beverages, keeping them fueled for competition.
Unified Sports pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams, building friendships and promoting inclusion. However, funding for these programs is limited. Athletes often have to bring their own food for events, and traditional sources like schools or the Special Olympics only partially cover the cost of meals.
Midwest Food Bank steps in by providing Gatorade, sandwiches, chips, and other healthy snacks. This support made a big difference last year when the Special Olympics basketball team advanced to the State Finals, with all players nourished and ready to compete.
"We're honored to help these athletes stay focused and energized for their big moments," says Scot Buss, Marketing and Development Director of Midwest Food Bank Florida. "Their hard work inspires us all."
Without this community partnership, teams would struggle to find enough resources for their trips. The food bank's contributions ease the burden on both athletes and coaches, allowing them to focus on what really matters—training, competing, and growing together as a team.
You can make a difference in these athletes' lives. Support Midwest Food Bank's mission by donating today.
FLORIDA
Midwest Food Bank Partner Crossover Community Center is Changing Lives
Special Olympics athletes face many challenges on their journey to success, but thanks to Midwest Food Bank Florida, nutrition isn't one of them. Coaches Jackie Williams and Maria Rodriguez, who lead Special Olympics Unified Sports teams, rely on Midwest Food Bank to supply athletes with essential snacks and beverages, keeping them fueled for competition.
Unified Sports pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams, building friendships and promoting inclusion. However, funding for these programs is limited. Athletes often have to bring their own food for events, and traditional sources like schools or the Special Olympics only partially cover the cost of meals.
Midwest Food Bank steps in by providing Gatorade, sandwiches, chips, and other healthy snacks. This support made a big difference last year when the Special Olympics basketball team advanced to the State Finals, with all players nourished and ready to compete.
"We're honored to help these athletes stay focused and energized for their big moments," says Scot Buss, Marketing and Development Director of Midwest Food Bank Florida. "Their hard work inspires us all."
Without this community partnership, teams would struggle to find enough resources for their trips. The food bank's contributions ease the burden on both athletes and coaches, allowing them to focus on what really matters—training, competing, and growing together as a team.
You can make a difference in these athletes' lives. Support Midwest Food Bank's mission by donating today.
GEORGIA
NETWorks & Midwest Food Bank: A Powerful Partnership
NETWorks Cooperative Ministry, serving the communities of Northlake, Embry Hills, and Tucker in northeast Atlanta, plays a critical role in meeting the food and financial needs of families in their 39-square-mile service area. A nonprofit partner agency of Midwest Food Bank Georgia, NETWorks provides groceries, financial assistance, and long-term support to struggling families and individuals. Their mission is "responding with the hospitality of Christ to the food and financial needs of our neighbors and partnering with them to find long-term solutions to poverty."
NETWorks serves anyone living in their service area, those who are part of one of their 21 church partners, parents with children attending local schools, and people experiencing homelessness. Their pantry operates like a grocery store, where families can select the food they prefer. If someone doesn't meet the service area requirements, NETWorks provides them a full shopping experience once, along with referrals to nearby food pantries.
Beyond food assistance, NETWorks also offers financial help to those behind on rent or utilities and can arrange short-term motel stays for families with children experiencing homelessness. They provide financial education classes, seasonal drives for school supplies, and Christmas gifts, and are developing job placement programs and soft skills training to help people find stable employment.
Later this year, NETWorks plans to launch a hydroponic farm at their facility, growing fresh produce such as lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes to support their pantry offerings.
"Midwest Food Bank helps meet the large and ever-increasing demand for food in our community," says David Fisher, Executive Director of NETWorks. "We are exceeding the numbers of people and food distributed during the pandemic. MFB's ability to provide large quantities of food means we can feed more people."
NETWorks' holistic approach to helping families in crisis is best captured through the story of Deron (name changed), a skilled plumber who relocated to Georgia for a job that didn't materialize. Soon after, Deron found himself homeless, living out of his car and visiting NETWorks for food.
Over time, NETWorks staff got to know Deron and helped him upload documents to a temporary employment agency. While they assisted him, he mentioned his desire to return to plumbing. The NETWorks team immediately provided him with contact information for a local plumbing company, and within days, Deron was hired. His excitement was palpable.
"I start Monday! No more suffering," Deron shared in a note to the staff. He returned later that week to volunteer in the pantry that had once helped him.
Midwest Food Bank Georgia is grateful for nonprofit partners like NETWorks. They fill the gap between our warehouse and those in need.
INDIANA
Grace Church and Midwest Food Bank Serving Hundreds Weekly
Midwest Food Bank, Indiana, is proud to spotlight Grace Church Care Center in Noblesville, Indiana, for its incredible impact on the local community. Serving 600-700 families weekly in Hamilton County, Grace Church goes beyond food distribution, offering a range of essential services to meet various needs. These services include English classes, vehicle and bicycle repairs, and a mobile pantry that ensures food reaches even more people in need.
Additionally, the Grace Church Thrift Store plays a vital role in sustaining these programs, with all proceeds directly supporting their charitable initiatives. Most recently, they hosted a successful Community Day, where they distributed 1,500 backpacks, shoes, and school supplies to children in need, helping families prepare for the school year.
Matt Kenison, Director of the Food Pantry, expressed deep gratitude for Midwest Food Bank's contributions, praising "their support and the quality of the products."
"I'm proud to know that Midwest Food Bank can help support their efforts while glorifying God through service," says Tomi Brooks, Midwest Food Bank Agency Coordinator.
Grace Church Care Center demonstrates the powerful impact of community partnerships, and Midwest Food Bank is honored to support its ongoing mission.
EAST AFRICA
Awana Kenya and Kapu Africa: A Glimpse Into Project 'Blue Sky'
Midwest Food Bank East Africa (Kapu Africa) has a new partner in Awana Kenya and Compassion International to launch Project "Blue Sky," a program aimed at supporting 6,000 children in Vihiga and Kakamega counties. The partnership focuses on holistic child development, providing both spiritual guidance and nutritional support, with plans to scale the project to other regions.
Awana Kenya, with the largest presence in Africa, mentors youth through local churches, offering leadership training to steer them away from violence. Kapu Africa and Compassion International will provide Tender Mercies, Kapu Africa's nutritious grain-dense meal, while Vihiga County will assist with malnutrition detection and health monitoring.