About Us

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan serves as a common solicitor, storehouse and distributor of food to member non-profit and charitable organizations in 22 counties.

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan serves a network of nearly 600 hunger relief partners throughout 22 counties. The Food Bank has been committed to fighting hunger and working to meet the rising need since it first began as a small grass-roots organization in Genesee County, in 1981.

Our History

Watch the video for a history of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan through 2021.
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Procurement

The Food Bank procures food from a variety of sources including partnerships with several retail grocers, farmers, food distributors and manufacturers.

Often food will be donated because of shifts in market forces, misprints, changes to packaging or damaged freight.

Food may come to the Food Bank as a result of surpluses in the grocery industry. For example, if Kellogg’s produces more Rice Krispies than it sells, then they have a warehouse full of cereal past its sell-by date – the food is still good to eat, but it cannot be sold.

Once food arrives at the Food Bank, it is inspected, sorted, packaged for distribution and made available to partner agencies such as churches, soup kitchens and food pantries for distribution to the public. All Food Bank partners distribute food without charges or fees to our neighbors in need.

Our History

Established in 1981, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has vigorously pursued the mission to eradicate hunger within the community.

Starting with a staff of three, working in a small, rented portion of a warehouse, the organization soon grew to a five person staff operating out of a 90’ x 100’ donated warehouse.  In 1990, the Food Bank moved to its current location on Lapeer Road.  Three more expansions, including the addition of the Hunger Solution Center in a semi-adjacent facility and the Food Bank now has over 110,000 square feet of warehouse space and offices.

The Food Bank became an affiliated member of the United Way in 1985 and joined Feeding America in 1987.  These organizations further enabled the Food Bank to expand its service area and distribute food to those in need throughout 22 counties.  In 2002, Feeding America recognized the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan as the number one food bank in the nation with the Excellence in Food Banking Award.

Over 40 YEARS AND COUNTING

Generous support from the community has allowed the Food Bank to grow and respond to the increasing need for accessible food in many areas. Each year thousands of volunteers give generously of their time to sort and package food for distribution to those in need.

HUNGER RELIEF PARTNERS

The Food Bank’s network of nearly 600 hunger relief partners, such as churches, pantries, schools, shelters, and soup kitchens, serves more than 211,270 people each year, including nearly 57,000 children and over 16,000 senior citizens throughout our 22-county service area.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

In response to the Flint Water Crisis, the Food Bank distributed well over 25 million bottles of water and more than 1.5 million pounds of lead-mitigating foods within the City of Flint while maintaining food distribution quantities within the service area. In 2020, as food insecurity rose drastically due to the global pandemic, the Food Bank increased distribution to an unprecedented 51 million pounds of food to those struggling with hunger. Nearly half of the food distributed was fresh produce, meats, proteins and dairy products.

The excellent relationships established within the Food Bank’s 22-county service area and throughout the state has allowed for numerous programs and initiatives to help fight hunger. Through the Store Pick-Up Program, the Food Bank partners with ALDI, Costco, Dollar General, Kroger, Meijer, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart to bring in donated foods including frozen meats, fresh produce and bakery items

With the addition of the Hunger Solution Center in 2015, the Food Bank tripled the amount of volunteer space available for sorting and boxing food products. A state-of-the-art production kitchen with the capacity to prepare more than 3,000 meals per day provides meals for HeadStart and other school feeding programs. In 2023, the kitchen produced an incredible 456,573 meals for kids feeding programs throughout our service area.

The Food Bank has also been honored with six Model Program Awards from Feeding America for innovative programs in technology, distribution, fundraising, public relations and programs.

Board of Directors

Officers

Alex MurrayBOARD CHAIRRetired, NALC, AFL-CIO
Peggy Haw JuryCHAIR ELECTCFO, Michigan Association of CPAs
Tony BurksVICE CHAIRVice President of Business Development, Blue Hawk
Greg VienerTREASURERRegional President for Mid-Michigan, Huntington Bank
Leanne PandurenSECRETARYPresident & CEO, Rowe Professional Services Company
Julianne PrincinskyPAST CHAIRRetired, President, Baker College of Flint

Board Members

Dr. Nasir AliFounder & President, Advanced Urgent Care
Hon. F. Kay Behm U.S. Eastern District Court Judge
Steve DawesDirector, UAW Region 1-D
Melany GavulicCEO, Hurley Medical Center
Elizabeth Latchana, Esq.SVP, Director of Compliance, Lockton
Dr. Rajagopal ShantaramRetired, Math Instructor, Mott Community College
Dick SkaffPresident & Owner, Skaff Furniture Carpet One
Emilee ThorntonCorporate Reporting, The Dow Chemical Company
Jane WorthingPresident & CEO, Genesee Packaging, Inc.

Board Emeritus

Edward A. MitchellRetired, The Flint Journal