Midwest Food Bank

Midwest Food Bank helps Kansas tornado victims
05/10/2007 15:47:35

They built their reputation by helping evacuees after
Hurricane Katrina -- and now the Midwest Food Bank in
Bloomington has been called to help after another
disaster. The group is preparing to deliver a second
shipment of food and supplies to Greensburg, Kansas,
where about 1,700 people remain displaced after a
tornado. President Dave Keiser told WJBC's Beth Whisman,
the Salvation Army knows they can call them when they need
help.

Kieser says the food bank has enough food to send to
Kansas and still keep local shelves stocked, but he says
household supplies like blankets towels and cookware are
in short supply.

If you can help, call the Midwest Food Bank at:

(309)663-5350.

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Mission:
It is our mission to gather large food donations from
nationwide corporations and distribute them to social
service organizations, free of charge, to help those
in need. It is our goal to receive and distribute in-kind
donations at no cost to those in need and to meet and
maintain our own overhead.

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Local:
The Midwest Food Bank serves over 350 nonprofit organizations
locally. Being located in Central Illinois allows many nonprofit
organizations and volunteers to take part in our monthly
distributions and daily activities.

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National:
With the recent disasters of Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and
Wilma the Midwest Food Bank has felt the need to help out
as much as possible. In response to Hurricane Katrina, the
first semi-load of food was delivered to Hattiesburg,
Mississippi, September 1. Since then loads have been
delivered to Mississippi (Biloxi, D?Iberville, Pearlington,
and Jackson), Louisiana (LaPlace, Alexandria, Lake Charles,
New Orleans, Baton Rouge), Texas (Beaumont, Pasedena,
Lufkin), and Florida (Clewiston).

In response to these natural disasters, Midwest Food Bank
has partnered with the Salvation Army and has been identified
as part of their ?1st Response Team.? Disaster relief efforts
have also been conducted with the American Red Cross. We feel
honored to serve those in need with these organizations.

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International:
The Midwest Food Bank has also had the opportunity to serve
internationally. With the help of a corporate sponsor
assisting with freight costs, we recently sent shipments
of dry food products to Christian Boarding Schools in
Liberia, Africa. We will continue to be available and
look for opportunities to serve internationally.