Midwest Food Bank sends aid to victims of Hurricane Harvey

Posted on August 26, 2017
Midwest Food Bank is prepping trucks to fill with boxes full of goods to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey. (WJBC File Photo)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Now that Hurricane Harvey has landed, Midwest Food Bank is sending aid to those affected by the storm.

Midwest Food Bank will send boxes filled with food and supplies to the areas of Texas affected by the storm; a full box has the ability to provide for a family of four for five days. Mike Hoffman, Midwest Food Bank Director of Operations, said as opposed to previous storms, they got the jump on sending help BEFORE the storm hit.

“Normally it’s about three to four days after the storm hits that we become involved,” Hoffman explained. “This storm is totally different in that they are staging this earlier and trying to get as much food in ahead of time so they’re prepared.”

Hoffman also said they will continue to send help in the following weeks, with MFB accepting donations from the public. Hoffman explained they are looking for basic necessities, such as canned goods and blankets.

“The way we see it right now, it appears it’s going to be an ongoing thing for several weeks and we’re going to need a lot of assistance and a lot of volunteers to help us put these boxes together and so we can get them to the people who really need it,” said Hoffman.

Donations can be made to MFB at 2031 Warehouse Road in Normal.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

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