"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." This describes the FBEM to a "T". As Board Chair, I have witnessed the total team effort , including every employee and volunteer, under the direction of CEO Kara Ross. Repeatedly, they meet enormous challenges and then go above and beyond. Consider these recent examples: 1) The water crisis in Flint, MI when the FBEM worked collaboratively with government, foundations, and community agencies to successfully distribute the water so desperately needed by residents, while still focusing on food acquisition and distribution. 2) Before that crisis was resolved, the pandemic hit, and again, the employees, with help from the National Guard, working from home or on-site, managed to continue to find new food sources in the midst of declining donations, and then procure, package, and distribute the food and supplies to the increasing numbers in need. 3) This summer, the massive flooding caused by dams collapsing in Midland County, created yet another challenge within those already being addressed. And again, the FBEM rose to the occasion; they provided immediate support to area residents while working in partnership with so many others. Creative thinking, collaboration, persistence, positive attitudes, passion for the work, strong desire to help, and overall, an unwillingness to let anything prevent them from accomplishing the tasks at hand - the FBEM - that is: every employee and volunteer at every level - does whatever is possible to serve those most in need. This agency consistently and successfully demonstrates its mission within the 22 counties it serves and we are thankful that is so!
My name is dr r shantaram - a retiree from the university of michigan-flint. I am a long time donor to the food bank of eastern michigan. In our country - the richest in the world - it is just not right for ANY ONE to go hungry - least of all children. This was my motivation for becoming a regular donor years ago. It is said that food, clothing and shelter are the absolute basic rights of every human being and our job is not complete as long as one individual person goes hungry. I do understand that any one person’s resources can’t solve the problem but together we can make a big dent. Please give to the best of your ability
I have volunteered at the Flint location a couple months ago with some of my cross country team and parents of the team. I have been changed through this. I'm currently writing a research paper on the Eastern Michigan Food Bank and I volunteered at one of the local food pantrys in my area. I went to the SOS food pantry in Marysville and volunteered there too. I have a new prespective and realized how lucky I am to have the food I eat... I would recommend volunteering for the Eastern Michigan Food Bank in a heart beat.
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