Microwaves are quick, convenient, and often the most accessible way to prepare a warm meal. However, with a few simple adjustments, you can make your food taste fresher, heat more evenly, and even reduce waste. 1. Arrange food in a ring Place food in a circle on the plate, leaving the center empty. This encourages even cooking since microwaves heat...
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL Alan Hopkins Brings Leadership and Care to Serving Others For Alan, serving others is not just something he does. It is one of his core values and a God-given desire. Alan grew up on a farm in Northern Illinois, where his 89-year-old mother still lives. After a 38-year career in agriculture with Shell, DuPont, Pioneer, and Co...
At Midwest Food Bank, we are grateful for the generosity of our supporters. Together, we are sharing the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition and providing disaster relief. Together, we are truly helping millions of people every year. This year, we encourage our supporters to engage charitably and celebrate DAF Day with Midwest Foo...
We don't always get to meet the people we serve or hear real stories of their daily lives. Often, the food is delivered, the groceries are carried home, and life quietly continues. But behind every bag, every box, every meal is a family like the ODonnells, a family whose story helps us understand why giving matters so deeply. When we met this beaut...
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL Lory Sandberg Leads by Example in Bloomington For Lory, volunteering at Midwest Food Bank Bloomington began with a single Thrivent event in December 2018. What started as a holiday outing with her family has grown into a calling that continues to bless her and many others. After a 30-year career in social services, Lory retir...
This summer brought significant challenges with tornadoes in the Midwest and flooding in Texas and New Mexico.Midwest Food Bank responded by preparing and sending food boxes and hygiene kits as requested by our partner, The Salvation Army. After May's tornadoes, we moved 24 pallets of food and hydration supplies to St. Louis. Local distribution par...
August is Make-A-Will Month, a perfect time to reflect on the legacy you want to leave. Midwest Food Bank is honored to partner with Trust & Will, a leading provider of online estate planning, to help you plan with confidence and purpose. Through this special partnership, friends of Midwest Food Bank receive 20% off all Trust & Will plans. ...
Nutritious eating doesn't have to mean expensive ingredients or complicated foods. With some simple strategies, it's easy to nourish your body with healthy, delicious meals. Here are ten ways to make it work—practices many of us at Midwest Food Bank use at home: 1. Plan Your Meals with Nutrition in Mind Start with what you have, then build meals th...
ARIZONA Two Midwest Food Bank Volunteers Earn Gilbert's 2025 MVP Awards Eric Sheldahl and Deb Taggart recognized for Bold Impact and Kindness On an ordinary day in Gilbert, Arizona, two familiar faces—Eric Sheldahl and Deb Taggart—are giving of themselves to help others. In 2025, the Town of Gilbert chose to honor these two long-time&nb...
It can start with a Question: Why don't all kids have enough food? Maybe your child sees someone holding a sign, hears something at school, or simply wonders aloud during a quiet moment in the car. However it begins, the question opens a door—not just to understanding, but to compassion in action. As parents and caregivers, we don't need all the an...
ARIZONA A BBQ Legend Teams Up With Midwest Food Bank 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...
Midwest Food Bank responded to multiple disaster-hit areas in 2025. Severe flooding devastated communities across Kentucky and Tennessee, displacing families and overwhelming local resources. In California, wildfires have devastated over 40,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced countless families. Midwest Food Bank sent essential s...
FLORIDA Behind the Blooms: One Couple's Creativity At Midwest Food Bank, we're often reminded that generosity comes in all shapes and sizes. This year, it came as breathtaking floral centerpieces—thoughtfully created and donated by Nancy and Wayne Zimmerman.Thanks to their creativity and hard work, each table at our annual gala felt extra spec...
Each year, millions of pounds of edible food go unused. In 2024, Midwest Food Bank recovered more than 144 million pounds of surplus food, redirecting it from landfills to nonprofit partners serving families and individuals in need. This effort is outlined in the organization's latest Annual Impact Report, which also notes that $526 million worth o...
GEORGIA A Familiar Face Takes on a New Mission at MFB Georgia Sarah officially steps into her new role on February 10, 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from both the nonprofit and corporate worlds. Her passion for community service and solid background in business and leadership make her an excellent addition to our team. Sarah's professional ...
Corruption, Challenges, and Change We've all heard the stories. We've seen the headlines: Haiti—a nation struck by crisis after crisis, where poverty, political turmoil, and natural disasters seem relentless. But headlines rarely tell the full story. What is really happening in Haiti? Why have so many organizations left while others refuse to give ...
Some gifts are so special they change lives and leave a lasting impact. In Stamford, Connecticut, a local resident has donated her $1.2 million home to Midwest Food Bank New England. This incredible gift will help provide $40 million worth of food to children, families and individuals in need. "This is a humbling moment for Midwest Food Bank New En...
At Midwest Food Bank, working with integrity is a core value. Today, we are humbled to share that our efforts have been recognized through accreditation by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). This milestone reflects our dedication to transparency, accountability, and the ethical management of resources entrusted to us. ECFA...
Midwest Food Bank is excited to welcome Aaron Klopfenstein as the newest addition to our National Board of Directors. With a deep connection to our mission of sharing the love of Christ and a professional background that combines financial acumen and strategy, Aaron is uniquely poised to help lead Midwest Food Bank in its next chapter of growth. Bo...
Some gifts are so special they change lives and leave a lasting impact. In Stamford, Connecticut, a local resident has donated her $1.2 million home to Midwest Food Bank New England. This incredible gift will help provide $40 million worth of food to children, families and individuals in need. "This is a humbling moment for Midwest Food Bank New En...
