Greater Lansing Food Bank

The Empty Bowls auction is live! Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) invites you to browse this year’s Potter’s Choice Auction, an eclectic array of bowls & ceramic heirlooms — the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one… or yourself! Place your bids here: https://lnkd.in/gQKHAFsF There’s also still time to buy your ticket for the 2025 Empty Bowls event! This year's reimagined event will be open-house style, and attendees are invited to join us at GLFB's distribution center from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. or 4 - 7 p.m. to tour the food bank and pick out a handcrafted bowl courtesy of artists from Clayworks Pottery and Greater Lansing Potters' Guild. Bidding on our auction or joining the Empty Bowls event is a great opportunity to give joy this season and help our neighbors affected by the government shutdown. Learn more about Empty Bowls and purchase your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/g3eBsm6j

The generosity of our mid-Michigan community can be an anchor for neighbors facing hunger amid potential SNAP benefit delays due to the government shutdown. You can help today by donating money or organizing a food drive to collect nonperishable pantry staples to donate to GLFB. We have already been sending additional food to all mobile distributions and are working to supply our 300+ partner pantries, community meal sites and other organizations serving neighbors so they are prepared to meet any increase in need. To make a monetary donation, learn how to set up your food drive or see other ways to join the fight against hunger, visit GLFoodBank.org/Give.

Greater Lansing Food Bank is committed to meeting neighbors where they are, when they are receiving food and when they are helping get food into our community. Since December 2023, the Lansing Area Parkinson’s Support Group has volunteered every other month with GLFB. We know food offers so much more than nourishment. It is a source of community, connection and belonging — when cooking and eating with others, but also when sorting and packing food at GLFB’s distribution center. “Many of our members volunteered at different organizations prior to their diagnosis,” said Mark Talbot, the group facilitator. “So why let a disease stop us?” Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gkG9D8kk

This week is National School Lunch week, a perfect time to highlight the important role school meals play in keeping children nourished. Our neighbor, Nancy, shines during the “controlled chaos” of lunchtime at her elementary school cafeteria. “Lunchtime is a good time for the students,” she said. “They’re happy, they're excited. They're going to be with their friends, socializing outside of the classroom." Nancy’s team ensures kids get nutritious meals daily. In mid-Michigan, 24,200 children face hunger, making school meals vital for learning and growth. "Being able to offer [students] nutritious meals at lunchtime, we know and feel good that the rest of their day is going to be productive," she said. Thank you to all our local schools for the critical support they provide for children at school.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Empty Bowls event! This year's reimagined event will be open-house style, and attendees are invited to join us at GLFB's distribution center from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. or 4 - 7 p.m. to tour the food bank and pick out a handcrafted bowl courtesy of artists from Clayworks and Greater Lansing Potters' Guild. Tours will take place on a rolling basis every 30 minutes during the open house to showcase the many ways GLFB works to distribute nutritious food throughout our seven-county service area to help families across mid-Michigan keep food on their tables. Learn more about Empty Bowls and purchase your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/g3eBsm6j

Access to nutritious food is the foundation for good health, strong communities, and success in school and work. GLFB works in many ways to meet neighbors where they are with the foods they need — from our network of 300+ partner food pantries, mobile distribution sites, community kitchens and other organizations; to programs like Weekend Kits for kids, Care Kits for unhoused neighbors, Senior Kits and home delivery. Most of us are just one missed paycheck, major medical bill or unexpected emergency away from needing a helping hand. No matter the circumstances that bring you to the food bank, we are here when you need us with a helping hand. To find your nearest pantry or mobile distribution and explore other food resources in Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Isabella, Gratiot and Shiawassee counties, visit GLFoodBank.org/GetHelp

Fighting hunger isn't just a job — it's a team effort. Thank you for joining us this #HungerActionMonth, as we celebrated making strides to end hunger in our community and all the different roles within GLFB. Every donation of food, every hour volunteered, every dollar given — it all matters. We all have a role to play in the fight against hunger, during Hunger Action Month and beyond. We can end hunger, when we all work together. 🧡

Even in retirement, Marine veteran Frederick's mission hasn't changed. His days are filled with caring for his family, helping his children pursue their dreams and stretching every dollar to make ends meet. But lately, stretching those dollars has gotten more challenging, as rising grocery prices mean even the basics can put significant strain on already-tight budgets. The generosity of our mid-Michigan community helps ensure GLFB and our 300+ partners can continue to meet the rising need across our seven-county service area. If you're hungry to help, visit GLFoodBank.org/Donate.

Are you looking for plans next Saturday, October 4? Clare County Food Alliance is seeking volunteers to help distribute food at the mobile food distribution taking place at Clare County Fairgrounds next Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Clare County Food Alliance is a new partnership between GLFB, Clare County Food and Mid Michigan Community Action that enables us to serve Clare County neighbors more efficiently by streamlining resources. Your support helps make these efforts possible to reach as many neighbors as possible, with the most diverse food options possible! Email ClareCoFood@gmail.com if you are interested in helping. We can end hunger, when we work together!

Who we are: Meet the Warehouse & Distribution team! This Hunger Action Month, we're introducing the many amazing teams we have here at Greater Lansing Food Bank, to help illustrate the role we all have in fighting hunger together. The warehouse and distribution team at GLFB plays a critical role in upholding our mission of a hunger-free future. Their work is essential for maintaining a safe, efficient and equitable food supply chain within the food bank system. This team coordinates everything from helping volunteers sort food donations from community members and retail partners, to food purchasing and inventory, to driving across our seven county service area (in all weather!) to meet neighbors where they are. Essential to GLFB's mission, they help fight hunger while maintaining food safety, ensuring that food flows efficiently through the food bank network to those who need it most. We can end hunger, when we all work together. #HungerActionMonth