Staff and leadership at East Hartford Public Schools do what it takes to ensure students are ready for the classroom. That means identifying students that may be food insecure because a hungry child isn't an attentive learner."We want to support the whole child and address the needs to keep the students in the classroom," says Alexis Safo-Agye...
A strong work ethic is part of Rick Callahan's DNA. At 12 years old, he had a paper route and has been working ever since. He retired after 37 years at Traveler's Insurance and then picked up a couple of part-time jobs. During those work years, Rick always wanted to volunteer, but he was often on-call and couldn't volunteer as often as he wanted to...
When Henry isn't in school, you can most likely find him volunteering at Midwest Food Bank in Morton."It's fun, and I get to help people," he says.At 12 years old, Henry likes baseball and swimming. He also likes to volunteer. At MFB, he is "certified" in operating the hand-held pallet jack. The day he received that certification four years ago is ...
A Midwest Food Bank Morton volunteer sees the big picture when it comes to getting food to people that need it. Dave not only volunteers at MFB but also at Hidden Manna Food Pantry in Peoria. Hidden Manna is one of the nonprofits that receive food, without charge, from MFB.Hidden Manna is always in need of boxes to distribute food to their clients....
Perceptions and reality don't always match up. You might be surprised to learn that 53% of food-insecure people work full-time.So, the suggestion "Why don't they just get a job?" falls flat for more than half the people choosing between putting gas in their car, paying a utility bill, or going to the grocery store.The USDA defines food insecurity a...
Lives Changed by Christ, a church with 19 locations in Pennsylvania, take their name to heart. It's a testament to the service they provide. The church partners with Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania and assists in many ways. Food distribution days at MFB require many volunteers, and some men from LCBC volunteer for every distribution."We're able to s...
Side by side is how Sun Valley Community Church and Midwest Food Bank Arizona work. The partnership started when Sun Valley was much smaller, and church leaders had initial conversations with MFB about volunteer opportunities. Those conversations have turned into a partnership that is constantly growing and evolving. "The church appreciat...
Winter Harvest, MFB Florida's annual dinner and fundraising auction, was held on February 25 in downtown Fort Myers' premier location, Caloosa Sound and Convention Center. As in years past, Gunterberg Charitable Foundation was the sponsor. The night began with the honoring of Vietnam veteran Dennis Fahey by Brotherhood of Heroes' Dr. Carol Rae Cull...
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller One of Midwest Food Bank's Values is "Executing through Teamwork." MFB works as a team across all of our locations and within each division. We place a high priority on collaboration, many people working together to achieve a common goal. Here at MFB Morton, we get to obse...
There are a few changes in the MFB Florida advisory board with the retirement of president Stanley Sinn. WE're also blessed to welcome a well-qualified replacement. Stan Sinn served as the first MFB Florida advisory board president for seven years. He retired from this role at the end of 2022. "When you meet Stan, you can feel his ...
When groups of people sign up together at Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal, it makes a huge difference. There is power in numbers.On distribution days, MFB food partners come to our warehouse to receive food without charge. It takes 60-70 people each distribution day to make it all happen. When groups of people volunteer together, it helps MFB ...
During the pandemic, people from Ono United Methodist Church noticed some needs in their community and responded by starting a food pantry. Those needs haven't stopped. They have increased. Sometimes, up to a dozen cars are lined up waiting for food. Some of the food they distribute comes from Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania."We have increased our s...
MFB began a partnership with Amazon as a food donor in 2020. Since then, Amazon has provided loads of product across the MFB footprint and is a valued food donor for the organization. Some divisions have picked up Amazon Fresh regular loads - a tremendous source of nutritious and fresh food. That partnership continues to grow and expand in exciting...
In February, when a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, Police Officer Buddy Calzado wanted to help. It didn't matter that he was a police officer in Fort Worth, Texas. He knew that bottled water would be something in high demand.The FWPD collected a few pallets of water and also called on Midwest Food Bank Texas to see if they could donate add...
Nick Colletti isn't new to the nonprofit sector, but he is new to Midwest Food Bank Texas. He joined the staff in March as the Development Director.Nick brings extensive fundraising experience to MFB TX Since 2006, Nick has worked for nonprofits, including Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Iowa, and the Bri...
For the past five years, Rick Duley has been a dedicated warehouse volunteer for Midwest Food Bank Arizona. That experience will come in handy for MFB. He joined the staff as the Warehouse Coordinator in March."Rick has a positive demeanor, a strong focus on safety, and takes time to listen to volunteers and agencies," says Merilee Baptiste, Execut...
When a local church called Midwest Food Bank Georgia to ask how they could pray for MFB during Lent, Barbara Roy knew it wasn't a coincidence.Barbara volunteers one day a week at MFB and coordinates the prayer team efforts. What are the odds the church would call on the day she volunteers and answers the phone?"I knew it was not just a coincidence ...
The best way to describe Crossroads Food Pantry is "full service." Located on the Thomas Crossroad Church campus, the pantry has grown in the last three years from a small cabinet of food to giving 2,000 pounds of food away every Monday. Crossroads is a nonprofit partner of Midwest Food Bank Georgia. "Our model is a grocery store environment where ...
Keep or pitch? That's the question everyone faces when cleaning out a refrigerator or a pantry. The date on the product is usually the determining factor if it stays or goes. But those dates are one of the biggest reasons that 30-40 percent of food in the United States is thrown away even though it is still safe to consume. The dates printed ...
MFB began a partnership with Amazon as a food donor in 2020. Since then, Amazon has provided loads of product across the MFB footprint and is a valued food donor for the organization. Some divisions have picked up Amazon Fresh regular loads - a tremendous source of nutritious and fresh food. That partnership continues to grow and expand in exciting...
