Midwest Food Bank sending disaster relief to flood victims in Kentucky

Family food boxes are enough shelf-stable food to feed a family of four for four to five days. (Photo courtesy: Midwest Food Bank)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Amid eight inches of rainfall in eastern Kentucky, the Midwest Food Bank in Normal is sending truckloads of supplies to support victims of flooding.

With the death toll continuing to rise, Kentucky officials report almost 40 people died from flash flooding and mudslides.

“So far, we’ve sent four semi loads of water, a truckload of food, we will be sending two semi loads of these food boxes down, and we will also be sending down a semi load of cleaning supplies,” said Mike Hoffman, the director of logistics and inventory at the food bank.

According to Hoffman, the Midwest Food Bank is sending two semi-loads of family food boxes that carry enough shelf-stable food to feed a family of four for five days.

“What I’ve found is we can sit here and watch the news and see all this devastation is happening there – and we all feel pretty bad about that; and we think, ‘boy, I wish I could help.’ Well, this is an easy way locally that you can get involved and help.”

For those who wish to donate, visit midwestfoodbank.org, click ‘donate’ and select ‘disaster relief.’

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…