Inspiring Service: Recognizing Our Volunteer Heroes

We are deeply saddened to share the news of Lori Steidinger's passing. Lori and Ryan Steidinger have been integral to Midwest Food Bank Florida since their move to Punta Gorda in 2021 (previous profile here). Their dedication and hard work have significantly impacted our operations and community.

In 2023, Lori and Ryan received our highest volunteer honor, the "Above and Beyond" award. Their work together in the warehouse set a high standard for others, exemplifying the true meaning of teamwork and commitment. Seeing them side by side, it was clear they were the gold standard of marriage.

Lori and Ryan created a beautiful and blessed life together. Their mission was to raise their children and grandchildren to love the Lord. Lori was passionate about traveling and experiencing as much of God's creation as possible. Her greatest joys were holding her husband's hand and watching her grandchildren play. Above all, Lori loved the Lord our God with all her heart.

Tanya Phillips, our Programs Manager, reflects on Lori's contributions: "Lori's meticulous work in managing accounts payable ensured our financial operations ran smoothly and maintained our financial integrity. Her legacy is a testament to her dedication and passion."

Lori's passing leaves a void in our community. However, her spirit and legacy will continue to inspire us. Lori is now free and dancing with her Father on Streets of Gold. Her legacy of love, faith, and service will always be remembered and cherished by everyone at Midwest Food Bank.

Ed Desmond, originally from St. Louis, has made community service a central part of his life. After building a life in Bloomington, IL, with his wife Tammy and their two daughters, Laura and Emily, Ed and his family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, two years ago. In Fort Myers, Ed continued his long-standing commitment to volunteering.

"Ed's dedication and compassion for others are admirable," says Tonya Philips, Midwest Food Bank Programs Manager. "He brings his experience and a warm, caring attitude to every volunteer shift. We're fortunate to have him on our team." 

A Deep Connection to Midwest Food Bank

Ed's involvement with Midwest Food Bank (MFB) began in Bloomington, where he volunteered occasionally before his retirement. His career in the grocery business gave him a profound understanding of food security, further fueling his dedication. Upon moving to Fort Myers, Ed became even more committed to MFB, eager to support his new community.

The Joy of Giving Back

For Ed, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is the direct connection with the agencies served by MFB. He values seeing how their collective efforts create a meaningful impact on the community.

A Lasting Impact

Reflecting on his work, Ed says, "Midwest Food Bank is a great organization and makes a great impact in the community." His steady involvement exemplifies how one person's efforts can make a difference. If Ed's story inspires you, consider joining our volunteer team.

Cindy recalls hearing a commercial on a local radio station about a promotion benefiting MFB, which piqued her interest. Her first visit to MFB Georgia was during a load-out day, and it was love at first sight. She was immediately drawn to the mission and the people and knew she had found her place. Since then, Cindy has become an integral part of the MFB family, serving as a core volunteer and assisting the Volunteer Coordinators. She is also a vital member of the Harvest of Blessings fundraiser committee, the Grant Team, and serves as a pick team captain during load-outs. Cindy often tells the staff to let her handle the little things so they can focus on the big things, a testament to her selflessness and dedication.

"I love the mission of MFB. I love that it's like being at a family reunion each time we get together," Cindy shares. She believes in the power of encouragement and finds that by serving others, she too is encouraged. "Serving with my MFB family just feels good to my soul," she adds.

"Cindy doesn't know a stranger! Her welcoming smile, positivity, and joy of connecting with others can be felt at first glance," says Tricia Jacoby, Volunteer Coordinator for MFB Georgia. "It is a pleasure to work with Cindy and see her pour her passion into impacting so many people."

In her personal life, Cindy has always loved staying busy and serving others. She has been married to her wonderful husband, Dana, for 51 years, and together, they have enjoyed a life filled with outdoor adventures. "I can't talk about 'me' without talking about 'us,'" Cindy says fondly of her husband. Their favorite pastimes have included riding dirt bikes, four-wheelers, street bikes, boating, camping, skiing, golfing, driving muscle cars, and even flying (with Dana as the pilot). Cindy also loves working in her flower garden, watching the butterflies and hummingbirds, and getting lost in a good book.

A profound experience also influenced Cindy's journey to MFB during a life-threatening medical emergency. A doctor whose gifts from God saved her life once told her that God must have something special for her to do with her life because, by all rights, she should have died on the operating table. Cindy believes she has found her "something special" at MFB Georgia, serving and encouraging others with all her heart.

Lina Martin, another Volunteer Coordinator, describes Cindy as a true gem with a big heart for blessing others. "She gives so much of herself to MFB, whether through writing grants, organizing fundraising auctions, setting up volunteer opportunities in Golden, or hugging a fellow Load Out Distribution volunteer. She has many great ideas and strengths; we are so fortunate to have her serve alongside the staff using her many gifts!"

Cindy Vinson's story is one of dedication, passion, and love for serving others. Her contributions to MFB Georgia have made a significant impact, and her presence is a blessing to everyone around her. Cindy's journey reminds us all of the power of selfless service and the joy that comes from being part of a community dedicated to helping others.

Richard Long began volunteering with Midwest Food Bank through the Saul to Paul program on distribution days (Click here for a previous post featuring Saul to Paul). He would load vehicles and carts, always working hard to ensure everyone around him enjoyed their experience. Richard continued to bring his warehouse expertise to the team, quickly stepping up to learn the new electronic inventory system, Primarius. He masterfully adjusts inventory, fills bays, and tracks products being placed on the line to be audited.

He truly contributes his talents to the team and jumps in to assist whenever something needs to be accomplished. "I enjoy helping everyone with anything that needs to be done," says Richard.

"Richard is vital to Midwest operations, and his presence is palpable every Tuesday and Thursday," says Marcie Luhigo, Executive Director. "His enthusiasm and energy create an atmosphere that effectively achieves our mission while making the work enjoyable.

In addition to his work on the floor with inventory management, he often operates the forklift inside the warehouse, filling bays and outside loading up vehicles.

"Every time Richard rolls in on his motorcycle, we know it will be a good day at Midwest Food Bank Indiana," says Marcie. "He brings a positive presence, strong work ethic, and enjoyment to our team.

Do you have a passion for helping those struggling with food insecurity? Click here to begin your volunteer journey at Midwest Food Bank.

Scott Pierson, a father of three college graduates, has been enjoying his retirement for nearly five years after a 36-year career in mergers and acquisitions at Pratt and Whitney. A mechanical engineer by training, Scott holds a master's degree and has spent his career in business development. However, Scott's drive to stay active and contribute to his community remains strong even after retiring.

When he's not volunteering, Scott enjoys spending time as a camp counselor at Heads Up Hartford and riding his road bike. His commitment to helping others extends beyond just his family and friends—Scott is a regular volunteer at Midwest Food Bank New England, where he's made a significant impact since joining in December 2022.

At Midwest Food Bank New England, Scott is a team leader for volunteer groups, guiding them through repackaging and other essential tasks. He also leads the distribution load team, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. His journey with the organization began when he introduced his son, Lucas, to volunteering, with the intention of stepping back afterward. However, Scott quickly found himself deeply connected to the work, the people, and the community.

"There's nothing political about volunteering here," Scott shares. "It's just about doing good work and helping people who need it."

For Scott, volunteering isn't just about filling time; it's about making a meaningful impact. He finds satisfaction in knowing that his efforts help those in need. But beyond the work itself, the people keep Scott coming back.

"The people, for sure," Scott says when asked what he enjoys most about volunteering. "It's a great bunch who always come in, but even the folks who are here to fulfill community service hours. I enjoy getting to work with them and getting to know them."

"Scott's commitment and leadership have been invaluable to our volunteer program," says Corey Barette, Volunteer and Community Relations Manager at Midwest Food Bank New England. "He fosters a welcoming environment where every volunteer feels valued and motivated to contribute."

If his journey inspires you and you want to get involved, consider joining our volunteer team at Midwest Food Bank New England. Together, we can continue to make a difference.

But Dahlia didn't just stop at raising money; she wanted to ensure that her hard-earned funds would make the biggest difference possible. Living in Hutto, Texas, Dahlia spent time researching various charity organizations and nonprofits to find the most efficient and effective charity to donate to, discovering which could use her contribution most effectively. That's when she found Midwest Food Bank, a charity known for its incredible ability to stretch donations far beyond their original value.

What makes Dahlia's story so special isn't just the amount she raised, but the impact it will have. Thanks to her donation, nearly 1,000 meals will be provided to people in need. That's 1,000 individuals in her community who will have something to eat because a young girl from Hutto decided to set up a lemonade stand and donate to a nonprofit that truly makes a difference.

We are deeply grateful for the growing number of volunteers at Midwest Food Bank Texas. Their collective dedication has significantly enhanced our ability to assist the community and has been a great encouragement to our staff.

An inspiring example of this volunteerism is the 45 Caterpillar employees who recently stepped up to support 500 families in need. Their commitment and teamwork demonstrate how collective action can bring about meaningful change. Thank you to all our volunteers for making a lasting impact.