Latest news with #MidwestFoodBank
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local police hosting food drive to meet summer needs
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Local police departments will be collecting food to address food needs around Central Illinois. 'Pack the Cruiser' is a four-hour food drive at Kroger locations in Peoria, East Peoria, Bloomington, Bartonville and Morton on Saturday, according to a Kroger news release. Colleen Juergensen, president of Kroger Central Division, said the timing of the drive is important because of the increased need for food when school is out, due to some children no longer having access to school lunches. 'We also know demand is up at food banks and pantries while donations are down,' Juergensen said. 'So, Pack the Cruiser helps ensure food is available when local families need help.' Some of the food items the drive hopes to collect include: Peanut butter (plastic jar) Jelly (plastic jar) Canned fruit & vegetables Cereal boxes Granola bars Applesauce & fruit cups Instant oatmeal Mac & cheese cups Canned tuna & chicken 'Partnering with Kroger on this drive demonstrates how a simple idea can unite communities,' Peoria Police Sgt. Aaron Watkins said. 'Pack the Cruiser is a tangible expression of community care, reinforcing the idea that protecting and serving means addressing real needs, especially those of vulnerable families and children.' According to Kroger, more than one local food bank will be supported by this drive, including Midwest Food Bank and the Goodwill of Central Illinois. Marcie Luhigo, the development director of Midwest Food Bank's Central Team, said one in six children in Illinois face hunger, which can create issues for their development. 'When you partner with Kroger and Midwest Food Bank to pack the cruisers, you are making a difference for those children,' Luhigo said. 'The food you provide goes out to hundreds of feeding programs across the Prairie State. Within a matter of days, additional nutrition will help to sustain their development, growth, and learning.' The Kroger locations participating in the drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 31 include: 1405 W. Garfield, Bartonville 2507 E. Oakland Avenue, Bloomington 201 S. Main Street, East Peoria 9219 N. Lindbergh Drive, Peoria 1001 W. Jackson, Morton Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major company overhauls operations at largest food bank in US: 'Helping them stay focused on what matters most'
The largest food bank in the U.S. is becoming more energy efficient thanks to a large technology donation. Geotab announced last month that it was donating 100 vehicle-tracking devices and access to its fleet-management software to the Midwest Food Bank. The donation will allow MFB to track the efficiency of its food-delivery vehicles in near-real time. Geotab claimed that by tracking how fast vehicles go, how much vehicles idle, and the routes drivers take, MFB will be able to boost its efficiency, lower fuel costs, and increase safety. "But more importantly, we're helping them stay focused on what matters most—delivering critical hunger relief and disaster response to the communities that need it most," Geotab Senior Vice President Sherry Calkins said in a release. Food banks are a vital resource for people facing food insecurity. A Feeding America report found that roughly 1 in 6 people in the U.S. used a hunger relief program, such as food banks and local food pantries, in 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture added that 13.5% of U.S. households faced food insecurity in 2023. But you may be surprised to learn how important food banks are to the environment. Roughly one-third of U.S. food, or 80 million tons, is wasted each year. Producing that food required environmental resources, and once in landfills, much of that waste will produce harmful carbon pollution. Food banks can redirect much of the food that would have otherwise gone to waste and get it in the hands of people who need it. MFB, which serves 25 states and has locations in East Africa and Haiti, rescued more than 144 million pounds of food in 2024 alone. Increasing fuel efficiency can also have huge environmental benefits. Transportation is responsible for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., more than any other sector. Within transportation, 80% of emissions come from vehicles, including cars and trucks. Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste? Grocery stores Restaurants Individuals The government Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen praises Midwest Food Bank's community support
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Even with the threat of federal funds being frozen, officials at an area food bank said they are able to provide for the community. And that made one federal lawmaker who represents the area feel grateful that such an organization exists. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Rockford Democrat, visited Midwest Food Bank's Peoria warehouse and met with staff there to hear more about how the facility works with schools, food pantries, and community organizations to serve families facing food insecurity. 'I feel good today, knowing that we have something like the Midwest Food Bank. Not every community does. It goes all over the state but it is headquartered right here. It has the ability to do so many great things,' he said. And he said, given the uncertainties that are occurring in Washington, he feels better knowing that the food bank is here in Peoria and is able to be a safety net. 'We are in a caring community that takes care of one another,' Sorensen said, noting there were thousands of volunteers and volunteer hours at the food bank. He urged people to come and help, volunteer, so they could feel like they were making a difference and helping others. He noted that the food bank 'sprung to action' after national events like the California wildfires. Eric Hodel, Midwest Food Bank's CEO, said it was good to have the congressman at the Peoria facility to showcase what the food bank does as well as to field any questions. 'I think he knows and understands the food bank,' Hodel said. 'It's the community coming in to serve the community,' he said, noting the organization is fueled largely by volunteers. 'He understands our model and the community impact that Midwest Food Bank provides.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Patricia Cutilletta named this year's Remarkable Woman
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — In March, we recognized four Remarkable Women in central Illinois as part of Nexstar Media's nationwide initiative to honor influential women across the country. On Tuesday, we announced that this year's winner was Patricia Cutilletta. She retired after 35 years in the investment business and has been spending her retirement volunteering at Midwest Food Bank. She is on the food banks advisory board and its National Development Committee. 2025 Remarkable Woman to be announced Tuesday She also serves as a board member with the OSF Healthcare Foundation and the Peoria Riverfront Museum Foundation. All of this, while dealing with breast cancer. As the winner she was awarded $1,000 to donate to the nonprofit of her choice, but said she would like to match the gift and give $1,000 to two other nonprofits of her choice. Cutilletta will also be invited to an awards ceremony in Los Angeles, where she and 124 other Remarkable women will have a chance to win $25,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
