Some of Midwest Food Bank’s Inspiring Partnerships

On February 8, 2025, something special sizzled in Scottsdale—not just the sunshine and golf. For the second consecutive year, Midwest Food Bank Arizona teamed up with the award-winning Little Miss BBQ to serve up more than just mouthwatering sandwiches. Twenty-three dedicated staff and volunteers stepped behind the grills at the WM Phoenix Open, preparing and selling BBQ sandwiches to thousands of eventgoers.

This spirited collaboration wasn't just about food but about fueling hope. Every sandwich sold helped raise funds for families facing food insecurity across Arizona. Events like these show how community partnerships can turn a fun day into lasting impact. We call it Sharing the Blessings, and we're grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Our nonprofit partners serve a wide range of communities across geography and needs. Some are small, volunteer-led teams distributing food once a month. Others are larger, with staff and volunteers serving multiple times weekly. They all share a commitment to helping others, no matter the circumstances.

Food distributions take place in church parking lots, at Chapter Houses on Native lands, during school events, along city sidewalks, and near homeless encampments. Every one of these efforts is made possible through the support we receive. Want to be part of something that genuinely reaches people where they are? Your donation helps us equip these outreaches with the necessary food and resources.

Join us in Sharing the Blessings - Make a Gift Today!

Recently, Midwest Food Bank New England hosted Top Chef MFB: Appetizers & Appreciation, an evening where culinary creativity met community impact.

The event featured guest speaker Kashia Diaz from Bridgeport Rescue Mission, one of our valued nonprofit partners. The Mission supports more than 2,000 people monthly through food outreach in Bridgeport. Diaz opened the evening with a challenge to reframe how we see resources.

"Some see a box of potatoes," she said. "I see possibilities—gnocchi, shepherd's pie, mashed potatoes. With knowledge and intention, you can do more with what you have."

Diaz's work goes beyond the Mission. Through her new initiative, KD Gastronomy Consulting, she collaborates with UConn and other food banks to develop recipe resources that are practical and culturally thoughtful. She also invests in youth culinary programs that introduce students to service through food.

The event's lighthearted appetizer competition was judged by Luann Hoffman and John Pesaturo, who added both humor and thoughtful commentary. It created space for volunteers and guests to connect through shared service and reflection.

Executive Director Corey Barrette invited attendees to continue growing the Midwest Food Bank mission: "Our impact grows when you share it. Whether it's online or in conversation, bring someone with you into the work."

Through food, collaboration, and storytelling, the evening highlighted how simple ingredients—and strong partnerships—can serve communities in lasting ways.

At Midwest Food Bank, transportation is one of our work's most significant—and costly—parts. That's why our partnership with Move For Hunger, a national nonprofit that mobilizes moving and logistics companies to deliver donated food, is so valuable.

In 2023, Move For Hunger helped transport 46 truckloads, totaling over 1.1 million pounds of food, to our Middletown warehouse. These donations came from across the region, and Move For Hunger fully coordinated and funded their delivery.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to support Midwest Food Bank's operations by transporting truckloads of food that will be distributed to those facing food insecurity," said Stephanie De La Hoz, Program Director at Move For Hunger. "The team at Midwest Food Bank makes the process so easy, and we always feel confident knowing they are serving this food to their local community."

Their support saved us more than $33,000 in transportation costs—funds we could reinvest in other areas of our mission. And just as important, it allowed us to say "yes" to more food donations we otherwise might not have been able to accept due to cost.

Transportation often stands between food and the people who need it. Thanks to Move For Hunger, that barrier is smaller—and more food reaches more neighbors.

We're grateful for their partnership and the reminder that fighting hunger takes more than food. It takes movement.

It's a scene repeated week after week and one that speaks to the growing need. Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania is proud to support The Salvation Army Harrisburg and more than 200 partner agencies, all doing the vital work of getting food to families who need it—right now.

Toni Lynn Mark, Resource Development Director at TSA Harrisburg, recently shared a moment that underscores why this work matters:

"We had an elderly gentleman come in after the flu had hit his home hard. He was caring for nine grandchildren, ages 10 to 15. He had run out of food and taken a bus—through the snow—to reach us. We gave him three full boxes of food. As he left, he told us, 'I don't have words for how grateful I am. It takes a village—and The Salvation Army has been my village.'"

She added, "We couldn't do what we do without Midwest Food Bank. Their support is a critical part of our village."

This is what partnership looks like. Each organization, each volunteer, and each food delivery adds up to something greater. It's a shared effort to meet a growing need—and it's happening right in our neighborhoods.

To The Salvation Army Harrisburg—and to every partner who shows up for their community week after week—thank you. Your village is saving lives.

At Midwest Food Bank, we're thankful to work alongside nonprofit partners meeting critical needs in their communities. One of those partners is Tajizuri, a charitable organization focused on education, health, and community well-being. Recently, we had the honor of hosting Aoko Martina Adega, the founder of Tajizuri.

Tajizuri serves rural areas of Kenya, where access to quality education and healthcare is limited. Their work helps close these gaps by empowering students, caregivers, and teachers. Through holistic, human-centered programs, they support access to education, promote healthier households, and build long-term community resilience.

The organization's efforts include:

• Improving student retention by involving not just learners but also parents and educators
• Leading hygiene and nutrition campaigns that give families valuable tools and knowledge
• Strengthening communities through mentorship and active engagement

Tajizuri's impact reflects a strong commitment to both immediate needs and long-term progress:

• 329 parents reached
• 1,886 pupils mentored
• 686 meals served
• 1,707 participants in mental health initiatives
• 4,225 reached through oral hygiene campaigns

At Midwest Food Bank, we are honored to support Tajizuri's work by providing food resources that strengthen their education and development programs. Their approach aligns with our shared goal: offering consistent, respectful support to people in need.

Together, we are reaching more communities and creating pathways to opportunity—one meal, one classroom, and one family at a time.