Restock the Bank event a success

Having to completely overhaul a fundraising event due to COVID-19 restrictions is an unnerving thing to do. It takes creativity. At Midwest Food Bank's Morton and Peoria divisions, the volunteer team came up with an amazing alternative, "Restock the Bank."

The August 29 drive-through dinner at both locations was unique and fun and still gave MFB a chance to thank donors and supporters. God provided perfect weather for the event. The online auction offered donors a bit of the familiar annual event.

Participants arrived at MFB and were served car-side Tender Mercies nachos. They drove through Peoria or Morton's warehouse where they were greeted and attended to by MFB staff, board members, or volunteers who provided information about MFB's operations and answered any questions. Boxed dinners assembled by volunteers and prepared by the caterer, Renee Endress were loaded into the cars. Families took their dinners home or stayed to picnic at a park in Morton or on MFB Peoria's patio.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, individuals that participated in the auction, and families that enjoyed the dinner and drive-thru experience. 800 boxed dinners were served.

We'd like to share a thank you note we received from Megha:

"What a great experience it was for my family to be part of the Midwest Food Bank fundraiser. We were amazed to learn about the severe food shortage problem across the US and globally, and impressed by the organized efforts led by Midwest Food Bank to manage it through partner agencies.

My 9-year-old could appreciate that a lot of food gets wasted every day, and with organizations such as MFB, unused food can be channeled to those facing shortage appropriately. My 4-year-old enjoyed the drive-through experience too and mentioned it to his pre-K teachers the next day. It's so important for children to learn and appreciate that food banks and food pantries are working tirelessly with several hundred volunteers to supply a daily meal for those less fortunate or those inflicted by natural disasters.

My family enjoyed our boxed meal in the outdoor patio of MFB Peoria and decided to come back and volunteer with friends soon to contribute a bit to these noble efforts.

Thank you so much for inviting us!"