Grant will help purchase new refrigerated truck for Midland/Bay County food rescue route
On May 1, 2024, Hidden Harvest was selected as one of two recipients of a generous grant from the Midland 100 Club. This grant, specifically earmarked for purchasing a new truck, will significantly enhance Hidden Harvest's food rescue operations on the Midland/Bay route, ensuring more food reaches those most in need.
Hidden Harvest President and CEO, Samantha McKenzie said, “I truly appreciate how the structure of the Midland 100 Club not only supports worthwhile initiatives financially, but it also encourages the members to be vocal community advocates. The woman who made the pitch for Hidden Harvest was not a member of our staff or board of trustees, but the mother of one of our board members who bravely got on the stage in front of the many women in attendance and made a case for support. What a wonderful way to get people involved in supporting non-profit agencies that provide important services in Midland County.”
Hidden Harvest is the Great Lakes Bay Region’s only food rescue organization. Since 1994, they have saved over 51 million pounds of food from going to waste. Every day during the week, they send their drivers out to pick up food from area stores, schools, restaurants, caterers, bakeries, and almost anyone with a quantity to give. Then, they redistribute that food to nearly 200 regional partner agencies, including 40 agencies in Midland.
The Midland 100 Club is comprised of more than 600 women who contribute $100 each meeting to local nonprofit organizations serving Midland County. The group has now made a financial impact of more than $1.7 million.
With an ever-increasing food need in our region, the Hidden Harvest drivers are covering more miles, and the organization spends almost $40,000 in fuel each year. Since January, the Midland/Bay route truck has delivered almost 500,000 pounds of food to Midland County alone. This creates significant wear and tear on the refrigerated trucks and requires the Midland/Bay route truck to be larger to accommodate pallets and have the capacity to become extra refrigerated storage when the indoor coolers are full.
“All food needs in this region have increased, and it is wonderful that a local organization like the Midland 100 Club supports this need and helps us continue bringing quality food to Midland County,” remarked Samantha McKenzie, president and CEO of Hidden Harvest. “Our focus is to rescue good food and redistribute to area food pantries, programs, and shelters, with a focus on healthy foods. Having refrigerated trucks means 35% of our deliveries can be fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – a much-needed addition to typical food pantry items,” McKenize continued.
The new truck will cost roughly $90,000. With more than $25,000 in gifts from the Midland 100 Club, a $10,000 gift from Huntington Bank, and a $5,000 gift from Kroger, Hidden Harvest is almost halfway to its goal. If you would like to donate to this cause, you can give at www.hiddenharvestshares.org/donate.