"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 ...

As Midwest Food Bank Florida continues to grow and look to the future, advisory board members play an essential role in helping us get there.Jeanne Richmond's experience matches MFB's vision of broadening impact in Florida. She is the chairperson and principal for e2Companies, a provider of energy solutions. Jeanne recently joined the advisory boar...

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...

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20-35  When Midwest Food Bank New England hosted a ribbon cutting to announce its opening Millie Texidor-Maffucci was there. She toured the facility and left w...

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...

When it comes to conversation, Dominica Rogers can span topics from geological forces to counted cross-stitch.That gift makes her a perfect fit for her Community Relations and Volunteer Manager position at Midwest Food Bank Peoria. She joined the staff in August."Dominica brings much community and volunteer relations experience, and she is looking ...

Nussbaum Trucking saw a need and provided a solution. The need - the CDL driving course at Heartland College had grown beyond the college's ability to manage. The solution - the Nussbaum Trucking Academy at Heartland Community College in Normal. The Academy started in the fall of 2021, and so far, 58 students have completed training and education t...

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...

God provides before we even know it's needed. That happens all the time at Midwest Food Bank. Nancy Bucher stopped at MFB Morton to see if there was a need for a volunteer bookkeeper. There wasn't an immediate need, but one soon arose. "I gave Nancy a call and she came and stepped right into the role," says Lisa Martin, executive director in Morton...

"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...

Haiti lurches deeper into crisis with no improvement in security, and the flow of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid is hampered at every turn. A silent, disheartening, and largely faceless new suffering is now emerging. Haiti's prisons are renowned for their brutality and overcrowding. Men and women often languish for years befor...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Midwest Food Bank donors are not only generous but creative. They come up with various ways to raise money and awareness for MFB.  Tony Escobar, a representative of Thrivent, has a history of supporting organizations that provide food to people in need, and he looks for ways to get that done. He recently hosted a French cooking ...