Guest Commentary: Midwest Food Bank Florida: The region’s ‘best-kept secret’
When most people think about food assistance in Southwest Florida, well-known organizations often come to mind first. But there’s another organization quietly working behind the scenes to meet the growing challenges of food insecurity: Midwest Food Bank Florida.
Often described as the region’s “best-kept secret,” Midwest Food Bank turns every $1 donated into $34 worth of food, stretching resources further than almost any other nonprofit in the area. Through a network of local partner agencies, faith communities, and dedicated volunteers, we provide millions of meals annually to families, seniors, and children in need.
I’m Dennis Hall, and I’m honored to serve as the new executive director of Midwest Food Bank Florida. I bring experience in nonprofit service and community engagement and am committed to building on the incredible work of our staff, volunteers, and partners. What drew me here was the organization’s mission-driven approach and the measurable difference it makes every day in the lives of our neighbors.
Midwest Food Bank Florida’s story is one of innovation and collaboration. Founded in 2003 on a family farm in Illinois, Midwest Food Bank has grown into a national network, and our Fort Myers branch, which opened in 2014, has become a critical hub for hunger relief in Southwest Florida. We partner with more than 200 local agencies, including churches, shelters, schools, and community organizations. We leverage the strengths of our partner agencies to distribute food directly to those in need, ensuring that resources reach families efficiently and effectively. Each week, partner agencies participate in scheduled pickups at our Fort Myers warehouse, with the assistance of dedicated volunteers, and each month, we host a distribution in Immokolee, where agencies can collect their orders for delivery to the communities they serve.
Our programs are diverse and impactful. We support senior feeding initiatives, provide nutritious meals through our partner agencies, and ensure that our partners are fully equipped to meet the needs of their neighborhoods. Each program is designed to maximize both the nutritional value and volume of food delivered, ensuring we combat hunger effectively while stewarding donations responsibly.
In addition to our regular hunger relief efforts, Midwest Food Bank Florida plays a critical role in disaster response. When hurricanes, floods, or other emergencies strike, we mobilize quickly to provide food, water, and essential supplies to affected families and communities, working alongside local agencies and first responders. These efforts ensure that during the most challenging times, our neighbors have access to the resources they need to recover and rebuild.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization. Every week, individuals and groups assist with organizing, packing, and facilitating agency pickups at our Fort Myers warehouse. Their dedication amplifies the impact of every donation, and their generosity reflects the spirit of community that makes Southwest Florida such a special place.
While others may receive the headlines, Midwest Food Bank’s efficiency, compassion, and innovation set us apart as a cornerstone of hunger relief and disaster response in our region. We measure success not in awards or recognition, but in the number of meals delivered and the lives touched.
I invite you to learn more about our programs, explore ways to get involved, and discover how Midwest Food Bank is changing lives quietly but powerfully -one meal at a time- by visiting our website at midwestfoodbank.org to see how you can support our mission.
Dennis Hall is the executive director Midwest Food Bank Florida