FLORIDA Neil Cowan Joins MFB Florida Board of Directors Midwest Food Bank (MFB) Florida Division is grateful to welcome Neil Cowan to its Board of Directors. Neil is the Head of Marketing and Design for e2 and has been a dedicated volunteer with the Florida division for the past two years."Neil's extensive knowledge and experience will be inv...
Hurricane Helene tore through North Carolina's agricultural heartland, leaving farmers scrambling to sustain their livestock. In the wake of the hurricane, vast swathes of farmland have been rendered unusable, and local livestock producers face a grim reality: no feed for their cattle. Recognizing this urgent need, Midwest Food Bank has mobilized 6...
The 11th Annual Collingsworth Concert, held on August 1st at Bethany Baptist Church, was a heartwarming evening of praise and worship, uniting supporters, volunteers, and music enthusiasts. Proceeds from the concert will directly support Midwest Food Bank's mission to provide food and hope to those in need. This beloved event highlighted the power ...
We often hear this question: "Why is all this food donated?" In 2023 alone, we distributed over $482 million worth of food. Midwest Food Bank partners with food producers, manufacturers, and distributors to save products. Sometimes, the food is something they can't sell. This may result from market challenges due to economic changes, shifting consu...
Midwest Food Bank values our donors and we steward every gift with integrity. We frequently receive questions about various ways to give to MFB and one mechanism - Donor-Advised Funds - is a way donors have partnered with MFB to achieve their giving goals and benefit our mission. A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a type of giving program that allows yo...
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL New Agency Coordinator Sees MFB's Community Impact 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. A...
For the first time in history, enough food is produced to feed everyone. Globally, farmers are growing over 22 billion pounds of produce every day, enough to provide every person on the planet almost twice, according to the Farm Link Project. It's not about having enough food; it's about getting the roughly 30-40% of the wasted US food supply into ...
A healthy start is a challenge for children in East Africa. That start can impact them for the rest of their life. Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa) isn't backing away from big goals to provide that healthy start by reducing stunting in Kenya and across East Africa. What is stunting? It is when a child has a low height fo...
What happens when you connect the resources of Midwest Food Bank and a corporate donation? 968 food boxes get delivered every week to people that live below the poverty line.For several years MFB Peoria has delivered food to Harlan, Kentucky, where 43 percent of the population has an income below the poverty line. A semi of food is loaded at the wa...
At work and at church LaDonna Orr was encouraged to serve and volunteer. She first volunteered with a group from work several years ago, and then a recent message at church about service re-enforced that idea."LaDonna is an amazing ambassador for Midwest Food Bank Peoria," says Dominica Rogers, Community Relations and Volunteer Manager.LaDonna reti...
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...
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 ...
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...
Kenny and Suzie Pilon say they wanted to stay active in their retirement. Like many retirees, they planned to spend time with their family and travel. Fortunately for Midwest Food Bank, the couple also includes volunteering as part of their active lifestyle. "They are both serving in roles where we always need more volunteers," says Carrie Do...
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...
Like most people, Darrell Pine planned and looked forward to retirement. His goal was to retire without financial worries or demands. So, when he punched out for the last time from Caterpillar last year, he knew he wanted to spend time at the gym, play some pickleball and softball, go fishing and explore photography.But he also doesn't take this ti...
When Whitney Creath lifts a heavy box during food distribution days, she knows she is lightening the load for a family. She knows because, as a teenager, her family relied on food banks, Ramen noodles, and peanut butter and jelly for some difficult years."I remember thinking, 'when I grow up, I want to be an adult that helps make things better...
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...
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...
Midwest Food Bank has hired Audrey Kamm as Executive Director of our Peoria, IL, location. She will assume the role on February 1. Audrey is replacing long-time Director Monica Scheuer, who is retiring at the end of this month. Audrey most recently served as the Vice President of Operations for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. There, she manage...
