Greater Lansing Food Bank

The shared vision of a hunger-free community helps even more neighbors receive the nutritious food they need. Stores like Walmart and Sam's Club are longtime partners of GLFB and the Feeding America network, donating food that helps us meet our community's needs. In 2024, food donated by Walmart and Sam's Club helped provide 545,544 meals to mid-Michigan neighbors! Now until March 31, you can help provide even more meals. Join Walmart and Sam's Club in the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign through the purchase of select products and donations at the register! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gx-pf6nn

In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Elizabeth remembers that as the first year she needed help keeping food on the table for her family. One of the resources she found was what is now GLFB's Weekend Kits program. These kits, designed to discreetly slip into children’s backpacks, provide essential nutrition outside of school hours for students and their families. If she could speak to someone facing food insecurity for the first time, Elizabeth would want to tell them that it’s okay to get help. “We all have those bumps in the road, you are not alone in this,” she said. “There are far more of us [needing help] than people might realize.” Read Elizabeth's full story here: https://lnkd.in/gx6wNS8x

Thank you to all of the Members of Congress and their staff who took the time to meet with us yesterday to discuss the importance of the federal nutrition programs. People across Michigan and the country rely on programs like TEFAP and SNAP to help keep food on the table, and your support is essential to ensuring families have access to the food needed to thrive. Michigan’s food banks continue to work tirelessly to expand access to nutritious food for those who need it most. Federal nutrition programs play a critical role in that effort, helping us provide American-grown food to families, seniors, and children facing hunger. Continued investment in these programs is key to building stronger, healthier communities across our state. #FoodBankFlyIn #FBCM #FoodBankCouncilOfMichigan #EndHunger #TEFAP #SNAP Feeding America Senator Gary Peters of Michigan Hillary Scholten Congressman John Moolenaar Haley Stevens Congressman Tim Walberg Kristen McDonald Lisa McClain Shri Thanedar, Ph.D. Elissa Slotkin Tom Barrett Michelle Lantz Greater Lansing Food Bank Eric Candela Adrian Lewis Forgotten Harvest South Michigan Food Bank Ken Estelle Feeding America West Michigan Markell Miller Food Gatherers Food Bank of Eastern Michigan

GLFB is proud to once again be a charity partner for the 6th annual Izzo Run/Walk/Roll! In addition to supporting the Izzo Legacy endowment fund, participants can donate to select local charities ― like GLFB! ― through the race registration process or on the site's donation page. The race also needs volunteers! Visit the event web page to register for the race, sign up to volunteer or make a donation to GLFB and other charity partners: https://lnkd.in/gbKGxzHp

Garden season is almost here! Yesterday, our Garden Project kicked off the growing season with Winter Seed Day, an even geared toward gardeners looking to get a head start on Michigan's short growing season by starting seeds indoors. In 2024, Garden Project distributed 16,200 packets of seeds to gardeners across mid-Michigan — a 30 percent increase compared to the previous year. Thanks to a "growing" project with Meijer, sourcing those seeds has gotten a lot easier! A long-time partner in GLFB's retail food rescue efforts, Meijer has extended their commitment to helping GLFB's work toward a hunger-free mid-Michigan by donating unsold seeds at the close of garden season. Garden Project is able to distribute these generously donated seeds to neighbors and families across our service area so they can grow their own fresh, nutritious produce. Read more about Meijer's seed donation program, and how it's benefitting neighbors across mid-Michigan and beyond: https://lnkd.in/gDa-hj_2

GLFB would like to give a huge thank you to Dr. Robert Posey for his generous donation in honor of his mother, Frieda Posey. To date, Dr. Posey has helped provide over 300,000 meals for neighbors in mid-Michigan. It's through meaningful partnerships like this that GLFB is able to make strides to reach our goal of a hunger-free community. Thank you, Dr. Posey!

Did you see yesterday's volunteer newsletter? This January, 1,316 GLFB volunteers started 2025 off strong by completing 2,101 volunteer hours! Your dedication helped us serve nearly 28,400 households each month in 2024 — thank you for coming alongside us in the fight to end hunger in mid-Michigan. March shifts are now available at GLFB's distribution center and mobile distributions! Register for a shift on our website and sign up for our monthly volunteer email to get first access to shift sign up, special volunteer opportunities and more: https://lnkd.in/gg7JTyUi

Tickets for the 17th annual Empty Plate are now on sale! Join us at Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center Friday, April 11 and enjoy a strolling dinner from top local chefs, bid on unique items in a silent auction and join a community committed to making a difference in the fight against hunger. Your ticket purchase plays a key role in helping us raise enough to provide 1 million meals to the nearly 100,000 mid-Michigan neighbors in need — in one night! To purchase your tickets at $150 per person, visit GLFoodBank.org/EmptyPlate

Empty Plate ticket sales open this Thursday, February 27! Join title sponsors Delta Dental of Michigan and Jackson on April 11 at our 17th annual Empty Plate strolling dinner and auction. As the need in our communities remains high in the first months of 2025, it is important to remember that we all have a role to play in creating a hunger-free mid-Michigan — and that fighting hunger is all the more powerful when done together, alongside friends, family and colleagues. Empty Plate brings people back year after year, offering a fun and meaningful way to fight hunger together. This year, we are excited to introduce fresh new elements to help guests engage even more with our mission and impact, while keeping the essence of our beloved signature event. This event is more than just a night out. It is an opportunity to help GLFB provide meals to neighbors in need. Your ticket purchase makes an immediate impact in our fight against hunger. Visit GLFoodBank.org/EmptyPlate to learn more, and purchase your tickets this Thursday!

Empty Plate ticket sales open this Thursday, February 27! Join title sponsors Delta Dental of Michigan and Jackson on April 11 at our 17th annual Empty Plate strolling dinner and auction. As the need in our communities remains high in the first months of 2025, it is important to remember that we all have a role to play in creating a hunger-free mid-Michigan — and that fighting hunger is all the more powerful when done together, alongside friends, family and colleagues. Empty Plate brings people back year after year, offering a fun and meaningful way to fight hunger together. This year, we are excited to introduce fresh new elements to help guests engage even more with our mission and impact, while keeping the essence of our beloved signature event. This event is more than just a night out. It is an opportunity to help GLFB provide meals to neighbors in need. Your ticket purchase makes an immediate impact in our fight against hunger. Visit GLFoodBank.org/EmptyPlate to learn more, and purchase your tickets this Thursday!