Dignity. It all started with this one word.
Three years ago, our entire model shifted to provide the utmost respect and dignity to our most vulnerable community members. We changed how a traditional food bank operated to a new and innovative project that continues to impress and make our customers feel a part of the community. We could not have done this without the support of our community.
As we start a new year, we wanted to look back on 2022 and Thank You for your investment in our project, The Market. We consider this a blueprint focused on dignity, equity, and community. As a community, we appreciate your commitment to helping those facing food insecurity.
Our customers are appreciative of the support you have provided.
“The Market has not only been a lifesaver to my Vietnam Veteran dad and my disabled daughter during the pandemic, but I also feel they are a second family. When we could not get there, the Market delivered our food to us”
- Customer.
Your contributions have ensured our customers have nutritious and healthy food every day.
“I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and came into the Market for the first time full of anxiety and stress on finding food to meet my new ‘diet.’ Having met your staff, I immediately relaxed. Your food steward took me around the Market, pointing out foods that would be a healthy choice, and shared how to prepare them.”
– Customer [Note: Our customer came back a few weeks later to tell us her A1C numbers had gone down].
This year our top 10 accomplishments include the following:
Provided more than 210,000 people with nutritious foods to ensure no one goes hungry
Provided more than 37,000 meals to food insecure students on the weekend, returning to school nourished and ready to learn
Removed an access barrier by delivering food to homebound families
Partnered with local farmers and growers to purchase nutritious and culturally inclusive foods, which in turn put money back into the local economy
Used technology systems for efficiency and effectiveness within our operational systems
Implemented a nutritional policy to ensure our customers have an assortment of healthy foods
Leased a warehouse for our food to ensure we had adequate storage for any economic condition
Implemented a revolutionary Locker program that allows for refrigerated food access at any time of day for our customers
Received a federal grant designated to expand our locker program and implement greenhouses to grow our food while providing workforce development opportunities.
Hired much-needed operational staff who fight for food security on the front lines every day
We could not have accomplished any of this without the support of our community - THANK YOU!!
To learn more about our organization: www.bonneylakefoodbank.org
