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...

This story is written by Danielle Witzig, a Nutrition and Dietetics student intern volunteering at MFB.Caleb Sawe is currently studying at Illinois State University and receives from an MFB Bloomington-Normal agency, School Street Food Pantry. Caleb is an international graduate student from Nigeria, West Africa. With only $900 in hand upo...

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, MFB Indiana participated in "The Christmas Experience" at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Parents of over 260 families were invited to attend and shop from a free store of toys to give their children for Christmas. It didn't end with toys. There was gift wrapping and a pair of shoes available for each child. Groceries...

We have exciting news! Your vote counted! Midwest Food Bank Georgia has been named a 2023 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award grant recipient! We have received $200,000 to continue our work in bridging the gap between poverty and prosperity in our communities. "Our grant team and staff are appreciative of all your support in voting for Midwest ...

Children bring the gift of excitement, joy, and smiles at Christmas. Kapu Africa experienced that when they celebrated Christmas with the children of Bondeni Rescue Center in Athiriver. Kapu Africa (MFB East Africa) provides food to Bondeni, a seven-year-old school housing about 90 boys and girls aged two to 17. It also provides support to abo...

MFB Morton volunteers showed up big time in 2022. Have a look at the numbers: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization," says Lisa Martin, Executive Director of MFB Morton. "We could not do this amount of work and reach so many people without the many hours they spend in the Morton warehouse." The volunteer impact reaches far and wide...

The words dumpsite and community don't seem like they go together. But for about 15 million people around the globe, their community and home are in a dumpsite.Staff and volunteers at Kapu Africa have witnessed dumpsite communities with their own eyes. They see the many dangers. The statistics are the people standing before them, scavenging for foo...

 When Midwest Food Bank opens a new location, one of the first tasks is finding and equipping volunteers. When MFB Arizona was established in 2016, Linda Siggins was the person that took on that role. While she left MFB for a time, we are grateful she has returned as the Volunteer Coordinator this year. "Linda has a warm smile and a heart...

Last fall, around the globe, organizations celebrated International Day of the Girl. Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa), was one of those organizations that celebrated by visiting a school where girls receive an education, a nutritious meal, undergarments, and sanitary products. Christine Mutsoli, Executive Director of Kapu EA, spoke ...

Have you ever wondered what a nonprofit board does? Like all nonprofits, Midwest Food Bank is governed by a board of Directors. These twelve volunteers provide strategic and financial oversight for the organization. Additionally, each of the twelve MFB locations has an advisory board. While the employees lead the daily operations, the board pl...

Midwest Food Bank has hired Audrey Kamm as Executive Director of our Peoria, IL, location. She will assume the role on February 1. Audrey is replacing long-time Director Monica Scheuer, who is retiring at the end of this month. Audrey most recently served as the Vice President of Operations for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. There, she manage...

Each year hundreds of volunteers walk through the doors of Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal and give thousands of hours of their time. While it's traditional for organizations like ours to name a "Volunteer of the Year," we aren't able to select just one volunteer in our amazing group of 9,000. Recently, MFB recognized the efforts of four volun...

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  I Thessalonians 5:11 On November 30 and December 1, Midwest Food Bank Directors for all US location met in Morton, IL, for two days of encouragement, fellowship, and support. This included directors from Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Il...