On September 5, 2015, Keven King was released from prison. It was time to start a new life. He connected with a ministry called Jesus Inside Prison Ministry (JIPM), and the mentoring, food, and encouragement he received created a new path."The support meant so much to me. It was the first time I had received support in my entire life. I could atten...
At first, Glenn Koehler thought he would spend his retirement years teaching. It seemed like a natural transition after spending 38 years as a pediatric dentist, serving on a school board, coaching little league, and being a board member of a children's museum."I just kept returning to fulfilling a human need, like feeding people," says Glenn.Then ...
Experience and faith make Corey Barrette an excellent fit for Midwest Food Bank New England. He joined the staff in February as the Volunteer and Community Relations Manager."God provides the right people at the right time," says Jan Young, MFB New England Executive Director. "We greatly appreciate Corey's volunteer management experience and his he...
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...
MFB nonprofit partner agencies have been seeing record needs. To help them, MFB Bloomington-Normal recently added a day (Wednesday) to our supplemental distribution week. But it was hard to find enough volunteers. We reached out to Salem4Youth to see if they could help fill the need. Salem4Youth is a nearby ministry for young men focusing...
The prayer board in the MFB Georgia warehouse is in memory of Herman Spinney. Herman passed away over three years ago. He was a volunteer at our warehouse who had a significant impact on the people around him. Herman's volunteer spirit lives on in his daughter, Cynthia Krantz. When Herman began volunteering at MFB Georgia, Cynthia saw renewed ...
Shirley Christensen worked as an Office Manager at a "close-knit, family-feel" organization. When a larger company bought out the business in 2011, dynamics changed, and she knew it was time to retire. It was a good decision as Shirley began "Gigi School," helping her granddaughter two days a week. It was a wonderful bonding time for them. Shirley ...
Friends and volunteers Janice Grant and Phil Crosby help Midwest Food Bank, New England, one box at a time. Actually, it's about 1,000 boxes a month. Their volunteer time is one of the many ways volunteers make it all happen at Midwest Food Bank. Janice and Phil are active in two area food pantries. They discovered MFB about a year ago when they dr...
"I am absolutely convinced that nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus has embraced us." This is one of Brent Carl's favorite quotes from the Apostle Paul (Romans 8:38-39). It continues to grace the wall of our Volunteer Manager office, offering an ongoing reminder of Brent's even calmness, kindly influence, and dee...
The photo looks ordinary at first - smiling high school students in their graduation gowns, throwing their caps in the air. Except the photo is anything but ordinary. It's extraordinary. "This is what it looks like to radically transform the slums of Nairobi with the love and hope of Jesus Christ," says Chad Parker, GOYA Ministries founder and an a...
Volunteer opportunities abound!Are looking for a way to use your gifts? We are seeking a number of volunteers for roles needing some specific skills. Design and Communication AssistantAttributes: Creative, sensibility for color and design.Time Commitment: At least twice per month, no maximum. A Design and Communication Assistant works within the MF...
Midwest Food Bank Normal, IL, is pleased to introduce you to three new members of the advisory board. They serve in a volunteer capacity, and we're thankful for their support of our mission. Denise Brim - Denise is married to Trace Brim, and they have four teenage daughters. She works from home as an online reseller. Each year, Denise is actively i...
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...
A bag of groceries can be the start of something that transforms a life. That's how staff and volunteers at The Salvation Army in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, see food assistance. "We want to introduce other programs like nutrition education, employment assistance, workforce development, and education opportunities," says Jenny Gallager Blom, pro...
Julie DeBoard hadn't heard of Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania until Kathy Anderson-Martin told her that she had accepted the position of Executive Director."I knew Kathy from when she worked at the Salvation Army," says Julie. "When she told me she was going to work for MFB, I decided to check it out, and I've been here ever since.Julie started help...
Backpacks not only hold books and homework. For some students, backpacks are how food is sent home for the weekend. Fern Street Backpacks is one of the food partners of Midwest Food Bank New England. They receive food, without charge, from MFB to put in the backpacks sent home to students in West Hartford Public Schools."We hope to provide sustenan...
"I have never in my life wondered where my next meal will come from," says Daniel. "MFB is making that a reality for others who aren't as fortunate." While Daniel has done some shorter local runs, most of his driving is longer hauls teamed with other drivers. He has completed several Disaster Relief runs to Florida and has made the Thanksgiving tri...
When Hurricane Ian hit Florida in September of last year, it left a path of destruction. When the hurricane passed, Gladiolus Food Pantry in Fort Myers was left with a water-damaged building and a loss of almost all of its inventory. They continued to stay committed to helping their community of Harlem Heights following Hurricane Ian even though th...
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...
