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...

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...

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...

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...

Big or small - businesses have found a way to support Midwest Food Bank. From a coffee shop to a grocery store chain to a heavy equipment manufacturer, they've all found ways to contribute to our mission. Their support comes in a variety of ways as they create a culture of giving. Here are a few ways they impact nonprofits. 1. Grants - Some busines...

From manufacturing to healthcare to Midwest Food Bank, Temple Roe has a professional path that will be an asset to MFB. She joined the MFB staff as Human Resources Director this fall. "I'm thrilled to have found my way into a non-profit that provides to so many families and communities in need," says Temple. As the HR Director for Midwest Food...

Josh sounds like a typical 12-year-old. He likes playing video games, jumping on a trampoline with friends, and playing with his family's six cats.He also likes to volunteer at Midwest Food Bank New England, and he brings energy and curiosity to every task."When he's volunteering, he's a real dynamo, a bundle of energy," says Brent Carl, MFB New En...

Partnerships are essential to Midwest Food Bank, and Provision Ministry has become a valued one for MFB New England. Provision Ministry is one of MFB's food donors, and weekly they provide anything from meatballs to new shoes."It's a wonderful partnership, and we share a common mission," says Jan Young, Executive Director of MFB New England. "It's ...

"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...

Food surplus can end up as waste unless someone takes action. Gary Guminiak took action.  Gary is a senior industrial engineer for Ahold Delhaize USA, a multinational retail and wholesaling company with brands that serve millions of customers in the US, Europe, and Indonesia. Ahold Delhaize's companies in the US include established and well-kn...

Midwest Food Bank has five values that are based on the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. Our facilities are intentionally designed so we can embrace our community, with kitchens, Conference Rooms, and project space in our warehouses. Here is a look at what "Embracing Our Communities" means to MFB. MFB's mission&nb...

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...

Two category 4 hurricanes hitting the United States within two weeks created an opportunity for Midwest Food Bank to share God's love. Our partnership with The Salvation Army allows us to offer help early and often. Loads of family food boxes, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies were sent to victims of both Harvey (Texas) and Irma (Florida). In all ...

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...

"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35-36In Bridgeport, CT, people of all ages and circumstances have access to food...

"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...

While food insecurity is rapidly rising, the world is expected to waste 2.1 million tons of food annually by 2030, according to Yale research. In the United States alone, $408 billion was spent on food in 2021 that was never eaten. That's nearly a quarter of US food going to waste instead of to those who need it. On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Mid...

"All in" is how Brent Carl describes an energetic volunteer at Midwest Food Bank New England. That volunteer is Linda Spinelli, and she started volunteering after a tour given by Brent, the Volunteer and Community Relations Manager at MFB. This was during the "open to the community" volunteer events. "From the moment she came to volu...