Manistique-based mBank has pledged to support three mobile food pantry distributions this summer across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The more than $9,500 contribution from mBank will fund efforts in Ishpeming, Manistique, and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., by Feeding America West Michigan, which provides food to 160 local hunger-relief organizations in the Upper Peninsula.
“When families struggle with the effects of hunger, it can be felt throughout the community,” said Sean Little, a development manager at Feeding American West Michigan. “Without partners like mBank who are willing to step up to the plate, we wouldn’t be able to continue putting food into neighborhoods in west Michigan and the Upper Peninsula who desperately need it.”
Each Mobile Pantry provides a variety of fresh produce, dairy products and baked goods and is open to anyone who finds themselves in need in the community. Mobile Pantries in Ishpeming, Manistique and Sault Ste. Marie, contain 20,000 pounds of food, enough to provide several days’ worth of groceries to 400 households.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Feeding America by again funding three distributions in our local markets this summer and supporting the incredible job they do helping to facilitate access to food across the Upper Peninsula, said Kelly W. George, mBank’s president and CEO. “Giving back to our local communities with contributions of time and financial support is a core part of our culture here at mBank, and this program is unquestionably worthwhile in the fight against hunger that some residents in our communities cope with daily.”
Serving local families in need since 1981, Feeding America West Michigan reclaims safe surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. That food is distributed through a network of more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other hunger-relief agencies in 40 counties from the Indiana border through the Upper Peninsula. Each year, an estimated 492,100 people receive food from Feeding America West Michigan.
The $1.3 billion mBank serves Michigan and northern Wisconsin with 29 branch locations.