Agent Charitable Fund, MFB Family of Companies grants fight hunger in MI

Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan's Agent Charitable Fund (ACF) and the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies (MFBFoC) are fighting food insecurity across Michigan, awarding $45,500 in Feeding the Future and Agents for Change grants in April.

ACF Nonprofit Grants

12 Michigan nonprofit organizations were recently awarded hunger-relief grants to fight food insecurity in their communities. Feeding the Future Grants are administered by the Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund (ACF).

Eligible recipients are nominated by their local Farm Bureau Insurance agent and selected by a committee of ACF donors based on the need of the organization, population being served and overall goal of the program. 501(c)(3) nonprofits can utilize Michigan Farm Bureau's Find an Agent tool to locate an agent in their area. The next round of Feeding the Future Grants is open, and the submission deadline is Friday, May 29.

Angels of Action - Big Rapids

Grant funds will be used to purchase nutritious, shelf-stable foods for the Backpack Blessings Program. Angels of Action was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Mike Ross.

Agape Center - Romeo

Grant funds will be used to purchase non-perishable items, dairy and fresh produce for families who need emergency food assistance. Agape Center was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Chrissy Zambas.

Building Bridges - Troy

Grant funds will be used to establish a Blessings in a Backpack Program to support students on scholarship at Notre Dame Prep. Building Bridges was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Wayne Haney.

Children First Lakeshore - Douglas

Grant funds will be used to purchase nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods to fill the weekend food gap for children and their families. Children First Lakeshore was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Jake Hedges.

Community Learning Connections - Tecumseh

Grant funds will be used to purchase food for the "meals in a bag" program, designed to provide a complete, balanced, shelf-stable meal for individuals and families facing food insecurity. Community Learning Connections was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Katherine Whelan.

Harrietta Hills United Methodist Church - Harrietta

Grant funds will be used to purchase non-perishable food items for the church's open-access food pantry. Harrietta Hills United Methodist Church was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Melissa Schultz.

Kent District Library - Comstock Park

Grant funds will be used to provide fresh and shelf-stable after-school snacks for students. Kent District Library was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Patrick Coffey.

North Branch Wesleyan Church - North Branch

Grant funds will be used to purchase food from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to distribute to neighbors in need. North Branch Wesleyan Church was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Austin Smith.

Rives Junction Baptist Church - Rives Junction

Grant funds will be used to purchase fresh produce, dairy and protein for the church's food pantry. Rives Junction Baptist Church was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Matt Ottney.

Silver Creek Thrift - Marquette

Grant funds will be used to purchase shelf-stable food for the organization's community food pantry. Silver Creek Thrift was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Scott Huber.

Step Up Northern Michigan - Traverse City

Grant funds will be used to purchase shelf-stable foods for student family meal kits. Step Up Northern Michigan was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Jeremy Crum.

Thornapple Valley Church - Hastings

Grant funds will be used to purchase shelf stable lunch and dinner items for students in the Delton community through the Hand2Hand program. Thornapple Valley Church was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Angela Shannon.

MFBFoC and ACF School Grants

10 Michigan schools were recently awarded grants to fight childhood food insecurity through school-facilitated hunger-relief programming. Agents for Change grants are administered by the ACF and MFBFoC.

Eligible recipients are nominated by their local Farm Bureau Insurance agent and selected by a committee of ACF donors based on the need of the school and overall goal of the program. School districts can utilize Michigan Farm Bureau's Find an Agent tool to locate an agent in their area. The next round of Agents for Change Grants is open and the submission deadline is Friday, May 29.

Caledonia Community Schools - Caledonia

Grant funds will be used to purchase snacks for students at Dutton Elementary School. Caledonia Community Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Phil Whitlock.

Clio Area Schools - Clio

Grant funds will be used to purchase shelf-stable food for the weekend backpack program at Clio High School. Clio Area Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Christine Hoard.

Dewitt Public Schools - Dewitt

Grant funds will be used to purchase snacks for students at Dewitt Middle School. Dewitt Public Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Sam Eddy.

Eau Claire Public Schools - Eau Claire

Grant funds will be used to purchase food for the Friday Food Bag Program at Lybrook Elementary School. Eau Claire Public Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Austin Batalis.

Greenville Public Schools - Greenville

Grant funds will be used to purchase nutritious food for students at Baldwin Heights Elementary to take home for evening meals. Greenville Public Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Rob Russell.

Lansing School District - Lansing

Grant funds will be used to purchase food for students at Attwood New Tech Magnet School. Lansing School District was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Jacob Baisel.

Monroe Public Schools - Monroe

Grant funds will be used to create and stock food pantries in all the district's school buildings. Monroe Public Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Kelsey Starr.

Reese Public Schools - Reese

Grant funds will be used to purchase food for the district's Rocket Food Pantry at Reese Middle and High School. Reese Public Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Rob Pike.

Reeths-Puffer Schools - Muskegon

Grant funds will be used to purchase nutritious, perishable food items for the district's food pantry. Reeths-Puffer Schools was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent John McCleve.

Swan Valley School District - Saginaw

Grant funds will be used to create and stock a new food pantry for students at Robert B. Havens Elementary School. Swan Valley School District was nominated by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Jennifer Howie.

The ACF, whose mission is to end hunger in Michigan, is a donor-designated fund administered through the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. The Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, a 501(c)(3) governed by Michigan Farm Bureau's board of directors, positively contributes to the future of Michigan agriculture through leadership and educational programming.

Operating at the intersection of market and moral missions, the MFBFoC has a powerful vision: a Michigan where no child goes to bed hungry. MFBFoC is reinvesting their proceeds back into their local communities and identifying effective programs, policies and practices designed to directly reduce childhood hunger.