Before a disaster hits, Midwest Food Bank is ready. Being ready means providing what is needed for that particular disaster because flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes differ. But the common denominator is the people in the middle of those disasters. Mike Hoffman, director of inventory and logistics for MFB, says helping people through t...
Two category 4 hurricanes hitting the United States within two weeks created an opportunity for Midwest Food Bank to share God's love. Our partnership with The Salvation Army allows us to offer help early and often. Loads of family food boxes, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies were sent to victims of both Harvey (Texas) and Irma (Florida). In all ...
"A lot of experiences along the way" is how a nonprofit called My Contagious Generosity started in 2011.The story starts like this - Marie Kayser always felt a nudge to help people who lost everything to a natural disaster. She thought about having a place to collect water, food, and hygiene items. With her husband's background in distribution and ...
People that come to Crossroads Community Cathedral Food Pantry in East Hartford get a bag of groceries delivered with a smile.This pantry serves about 100 families from East Hartford and Manchester weekly, and some people drive 25 miles to access the pantry. Crossroads is located in a church and has about 15 volunteers, says Amy Rivera, food p...
"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35-36In Bridgeport, CT, people of all ages and circumstances have access to food...
The squash, tomatoes, green beans, and potatoes are just part of the harvest at St. Ann's Garden of Hope in Peoria. The garden, part of the OSF Faith Community Nursing program, grows healthy food for people in the area so they can minister to them as a whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Recently, MFB Morton was asked to be a part of the Wednesd...
"Sure thing, I can do that." That's how volunteer Karl Hasel responds when asked to help with something. After 45 years as an aerospace engineer designing advanced jet engines, he shares his retirement time with MFB New England. He's part of the "Tuesday morning crew" that gets work done, week in and week out."Karl has been one of the reasons ...
Midwest Food Bank began an organization-wide focus on safety in 2021. Rather than being a one-time effort, this initiative is ongoing with specific goals. It was an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen safety measures already in place. Mike Hoffman, MBF's Inventory and Logistics Director, leads the safety initiative. "Providing a safe work e...
Midwest Food Bank Values include Embrace Our Communities and Empowering Volunteers. One of the ways we do this is by providing clean, efficient, safe, and comfortable gathering places. At MFB, we work hard to maintain clean, inviting warehouses. To keep them well maintained and organized, we have standards, prioritize investment, and have safety co...
If you've traveled the world, speak multiple languages, and participated in the Junior Olympics, what is left for you to do? Why, volunteer at MFB Texas, that's what. Tonja Amos began volunteering at MFB Texas in November 2021 on a pallet building team. She now helps lead and coordinate those teams. She's happy to be able to volunteer&nbs...
Across all 2,200 partner agencies served by all 12 MFB locations, it is clear that every agency serves its own unique population of people in need. But one thing that most agencies have in common is the current rise in the need for food. Our partner agencies are experiencing a 25% increase in demand for their services. Our rural pantries are n...
Interacting with people and laughter are two of Krystle Whitley's favorite things. That makes her an excellent fit for her role at Midwest Food Bank, Pennsylvania. Krystle joined the staff in July as the resource and volunteer administrator. Before coming to MFB, she worked at the Salvation Army doing direct client services. "We are excited to...
Sally Agalo Kwenda is the group secretary of Stoma World Kenya, a group founded in 2010 to provide patients living with ileostomies, urostomies, and colostomies with essential care and support. She represents the group in the Kenya network of cancer survivors. Sally is also a three-time cancer survivor and ostomate. Sally is inspired...
While food insecurity is rapidly rising, the world is expected to waste 2.1 million tons of food annually by 2030, according to Yale research. In the United States alone, $408 billion was spent on food in 2021 that was never eaten. That's nearly a quarter of US food going to waste instead of to those who need it. On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Mid...
Each year, generous givers support MFB Normal through various fundraising events. Warmer summer weather brings the opportunity to hold these events outdoors while pursuing fun activities. Here are some recent FUNdraising events. Golf Outing. Held at the Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington on June 17, the golf outing raised nearly $2...
One of many volunteer positions at Midwest Food Bank is the role of Advisory Board members. These people share their expertise and time to help shape and direct the local MFB location they serve. Midwest Food Bank Morton welcomes four new advisory board members - Sue Neihouser, Justin Pflederer, Javier Salazar, and Mary Staple. Their comm...
Every volunteer has a story about why they serve at Midwest Food Bank. For Duane and Cheryl Whitlow, their story includes a history of volunteerism and a unique love story. Prior to meeting each other and serving at MFB, both Duane and Cheryl believed in service to the community. Duane coached and mentored individuals with personal finance matters ...
After Scot Buss finished college in Minnesota, he got in his car and drove to Florida, even though he had never been there before. Now, 25 years later, he is still enjoying the sunshine and is using his sales background to assist Midwest Food Bank Florida. Scot has joined the Florida staff as the Marketing and Development Manager. "I'm ex...
COVID-19 changed a lot of things, and food pantries had to adjust. For Share the Meals in Fayetteville, Georgia, that meant shifting their services. Before 2020, Share the Meals used the food from MFB to create meals to feed the homeless. During the pandemic, they altered their service to pack food boxes that are delivered bi-monthly to ...
It's about the long haul for The Creek Church in Indianapolis. The pantry provides food assistance to people with long-term needs and connects them with other services like financial coaching, housing, addiction support, or other human services. Volunteers at The Creek also invest in building relationships by meeting with small grou...
