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By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Kosciusko County's Health First Indiana agreed in September to provide $10,000 for a new program that helps address food insecurity, and the timing could not be better. 

The Kosciusko Food Security Coalition leveraged $10,000 of Health First Indiana money to provide nearly seven thousand pounds of high-quality protein to families in need, said a news release from HFI.

That money was used to help provide 6,7000 pounds of ground pork that was then sent to the Milford Food Bank where it was distributed to 38 partners organizations, including food pantries, recovery homes and churches with community meal programs.

It was a cooperative effort coordinated by Live Well Kociusko and the food insecurity coalition and benefited 3,300 families at a time when many low-income families faced a temporary loss of food stamps while also dealing with rising grocery prices, said Liz McCullough, coordinator for HFI.

HFI described the arrangement in a news release as a major victory for local food security efforts.

The money will be used as part of the food coalition's “Meating the Need” program that provides high-quality protein to those in need.

"This one is a brand new program and ... for the first year of doing it, I thought it was pretty amazing," McCullough told News Now Warsaw.

She said she hopes HFI can help provide more money to the program next year.

She participated in a group call this week with people involved in working to offset food insecurity that focused in part on the future needs.

"All the prices of everything are increasing ... and they said the need is not going to go away anytime soon," she said.

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WARSAW —  The Kosciusko County Community Foundation approved an emergency grant of up to $31,000 in additional money on Friday to the Milford Food Bank as the government shutdown enters its 34th day and benefits for food assistance have temporarily ceased.

Concerns about SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have been growing in recent days, and even though rulings on Friday from two judges ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the massive program, uncertainty remains.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 because it said it could no longer keep funding it due to the shutdown.

 The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. It costs about $8 billion per month nationally.

In Kosciusko County, about 1,800 households rely on SNAP benefits.

In a statement issued Friday, the Foundation’s Board said it acted quickly to help ensure vulnerable children, families, and seniors in our community do not go hungry.

Money will be used to provide immediate food support for residents across Kosciusko County through their network of local food pantries supported by the food bank.

The first portion of money, $15,500 was released Friday. If by mid-November, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have not been released, the second grant installment will be released, said the foundation in a news release.

"We’re deeply grateful for Milford Food Bank’s strong partnerships with pantries throughout the county, and grateful to have rapid-response funds at the Community Foundation," the foundation statement said.

Find a food pantry near you by visiting milfordfoodbank.org/pantrylocations.

The two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to pay for SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.

Benefits for millions of people are being delayed in November because the process of loading cards can take a week or more in many states.

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MILFORD — A successful $1 million fundraising campaign by supporters of the Milford Food Bank has opened the door for construction to begin for a new warehouse.

The concrete foundation for the warehouse across the street from the food bank’s existing building is already in place and constuction of walls will begin Monday, said Angie Deak, development manager for the Milford Food bank.

[caption id="attachment_121615" align="alignright" width="227"] Angie Deak[/caption]

The food bank has been around since 2010 but has grown significantly in recent years and now provides food to more than 220 pantries across in 25 counties in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

Food inseccurity has been increasing in recent years since the pandemic five years ago.

These days, the food bank moves between 350,000-400,000 pounds of food per month.

Demand for assistance has grown in recent months due to inflation and other factors.

On top of that, the distribution of SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) could be temporarily halted next wee as a result of  the governmnt shutdown that began 25 days ago.

Officials hope constrution is complete in March.

 “The need for the new facility to be able to expand our operations is very evident right now – we can’t get that building done quick enough!" Deak said.

“We’ve had an increase in pantries and facilities contacting us, saying can we come shop? Can we come get food from you?” Deak added.

* * * 

Check out the list of pantries that work with Milford Food Bank.

* * * 

Deak spoke with News Now Warsaw for its weekly public affairs show that can be heard this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

The new 14,000 square foot warehouse will provide a larger capqcity for storage and more efficiencies, Deak said.

It will also have office space, which has been lacking at the existing warehouse on Emeline Street.

Deak, who has spent much of her life in Milford, and has 20 years of sales and marketing experience, was hired as the food bank’s first development manager in spring of 2024 at the same time warehouse expansion plans were taking shape.

Her background and networking fit well with the focus on fundraising.

"I have been overwhelmed in this last year and a half with how many people want to see Milford Food Bank succeed because they know the good work that we’re doing,” Deak said.

“It’s been a blessing to feel that support from the community,” she said.

Aside from a large network of pantries, food is also made available to “recovery homes, homeless shelters, churches or anybody who is serving or feeding people in need — they come to us for for food.”

Food insecurity has grown more common to the point that Deak said she believes everyone knows or interacts with people who worry about having enough to eat.

“There’s no way to say it doesn’t touch everybody because it does,” she said.

The food bank is now within $100,000 of its goal and will host another fundraiser on Nov. 1.

See details below.

[caption id="attachment_121617" align="aligncenter" width="978"] Canned food waiting to be dispersed sits in the Milford Food Bank's existing warehouse. News Now Warsw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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MILFORD — Milford Food Bank has announced the official launch of its $1 million capital campaign to fund the construction of a new 12,000-square-foot storage facility.

This new facility will not only provide expanded storage but will also house office space and an upgraded food packaging room to help the Food Bank significantly increase its capacity to serve those in need.

Groundbreaking for the new building is scheduled for later this year, marking a transformative step forward in the organization’s mission.

Milford Food Bank has a long-standing history of sharing the love of Christ by providing food to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

With the new facility, the organization will be able to more than double its food output, ultimately helping to feed hundreds of thousands more individuals in the Michiana region each month. The expanded space will also allow for more efficient food packaging and distribution, improved logistics, and a greater ability to support hundreds of regional food partners.

"We are at a critical point in our growth, and with the continued support of the public and our incredible food partners, we can reach even more people who are struggling with food insecurity. This new facility will allow us to dramatically expand our capacity and extend our reach to more partner organizations, all while staying true to our mission of sharing the love of Christ and serving those in need,” said Angie Deak, Development Manager of Milford Food Bank.

Milford Food Bank's services currently extend across Kosciusko and Elkhart County, and 22 other counties in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan, reaching over 125,000 people each month.

By partnering with food pantries, recovery homes, churches, backpack programs and community kitchens, Milford Food Bank distributes over 350,000 pounds of food each month, providing a lifeline to those in need.

The capital campaign to raise $1 million will be supported by individuals, businesses, and organizations who are committed to ending hunger in the region. Milford Food Bank is offering several sponsorship levels, each with special recognition in the new building, including naming rights for various areas of the facility and tickets to its Night of Faith fundraiser on March 28, 2025. They want to ensure that donors are honored for their generosity in helping to build a stronger, healthier community for all.

"We are reaching out to individuals, local businesses, and our partner organizations to ask for their support in this campaign," said Deak. "With donations big and small, we can build a facility that will not only serve our immediate needs of today but also position us to continue serving Michiana for decades to come."

The new facility will be a beacon of hope for the tens of thousands of families and individuals struggling with hunger across the region. Milford Food Bank is committed to continuing its mission of being the hands and feet of Jesus, providing food, compassion, and love to those facing food insecurity.

For more information on how to contribute to Milford Food Bank’s capital campaign, visit www.milfordfoodbank.org/newbuilding or contact Deak at angie@milfordfoodbank.org.

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MILFORD — Milford Food Bank will host a “Night of Faith” fundraiser dinner and auction on Aug. 16,  from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Camp Alexander Mack, 1113 E. Camp Mack Road, Milford.

The event is a fundraiser for the food bank’s new building campaign.

The new facility will be vital to the food bank’s growth and ability to serve local food partners and make a difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity.

The evening will include dinner provided by Camp Mack, a silent auction with unique items, exclusive packages and memorable experiences, and keynote speaker Vince Turner.

Guests will be helping Milford Food Bank build a future and lean into faith, one plate at a time. Night of Faith will be an unforgettable evening of faith, community and compassion. For more information and to reserve a table for your business or large group, visit www.milfordfoodbank.org/nightoffaith or email info@milfordfoodbank.org.

Milford Food Bank is a faith-based organization with a mission of sharing the love of Christ by providing food to those in need. It serves over 180 organizations throughout Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan and distributes over 350,000 pounds of food each month to community kitchens, residential facilities, backpack programs and other community food distribution organizations. For more information about Milford Food Bank and its initiatives or to get involved, visit www.milfordfoodbank.org.

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MILFORD — The Milford Food Bank will break ground on Wednesday for a new distribution center on James Street.

The 12,000 square-foot building will allow the operation to be more efficient and will include an office, according to Board President Joe Shetler.

Wednesday’s event is intended to draw attention to a $1 million fundraising goal.

Shetler said they are about one third of the way there so far.

They hope to finish construction in late 2025.

The groundbreaking is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday.

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