America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet food insecurity, or the lack of financial resources to feed oneself and one’s family, is increasing at a staggering rate. According to a study published in 2017 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated one in eight Americans are food insecure, equating to 42 million Americans including 13 million children. This means that more than 40 million Americans lack the financial resources to secure food in a country where the resources exist to provide such needed food – the situation is often additionally compounded by other factors such as affordable housing and underemployment. (Source: Midwest Food Bank)
To connect resources to those experiencing food insecurity, the nonprofit Midwest Food Bank serves communities across the United States and the globe.
In 2003, the Kieser family turned a barn on their family farm into a distribution site for local food pantries. Since then, the faith-based organization has grown into a worldwide organization. In 2019, more than four million people were served.
Today, Midwest Food Bank serves more than $23 million worth of food monthly to more than 2,000 nonprofit organizations. Ten distribution centers are located throughout Illinois, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Texas, East Africa and Haiti. (Source: Midwest Food Bank)
The mission of Midwest Food Bank is “to share the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition locally and throughout the world and providing disaster relief; all without discrimination.” Their vision is “to provide industry-leading food relief to those in need while feeding them spiritually.”
To support the Midwest Food Bank’s mission, and in response to the heightened need induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Palmer Leasing Group has donated the use of a Kenworth T370 refrigerated box truck. Jeremy Baynai, operations manager of Midwest Food Bank’s Indiana Division, adds, “The truck has been invaluable to us for the last month. On top of our day-in, day-out needs in the midst of this situation, our cooler unit has broken down twice, so having the extra trucks to store product has been a life-saver!”
Mr. Eldon Palmer, the company’s founder, was active within the community throughout Central Indiana, helping anyone he could regardless of their background or situation. Contributing to community projects such as Midwest Food Bank is a product of a culture established nearly 60 years ago by Mr. Palmer, and is engrained within everything the company sets out to accomplish.
Baynai also commented regarding the current COVID-19 situation, saying, “The big thing will be continued financial support. We’ve had unprecedented levels of support throughout the last three months. The big question then, is did everyone just blow through their charitable giving for the year and if we spend this all now, will we be scraping by come the fall?”
The organization has moved its annual fundraising dinner on Monument Circle in Indianapolis to a virtual event. The organization encourages all who are able to participate. Palmer Trucks encourages the community to continue rallying around Midwest Food Bank during this time through volunteering, donating or attending virtual fundraisers. Learn more and get involved at https://midwestfoodbank.org/
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