MKC contributes to area food banks

During the month of June, MKC Community Involvement Committee members sponsored a food drive to benefit local food pantries and emergency shelters.

“It is part of MKC’s core commitment to take part in the growth and success of the communities we live and operate in. This would include supporting our employee’s efforts to donate food to local food banks,” said Erik Lange, Director of Southern Operations for MKC. 

Shane Eck, Location Manager at Lindsborg, stands
among items collected at his location.

Collection boxes were placed at each location. Producers traveling to and from locations during harvest were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate. Employees were also encouraged to bring in items to donate and some locations took the initiative to collaborate with local grocery stores to receive donations.

Larry Brake, the location manager at Abilene, got the Abilene community involved by approaching the local grocery store to help with the food drive. The manager at Country Mart agreed to match what the Abilene location raised in donations. A donation spot was also established at the entrance to the store so shoppers could participate. The idea soon caught on with other locations.

“Upon the suggestion of one of our employees, we partnered with the local grocery store, Scott’s. We placed fliers in grocery carts and set up a donation tub by the checkout. While the idea was fueled by the competition, it proved to be a great way to get the entire community involved,” said Christian Loganbill, the Grain Operations Manager at Lindsborg.

Employees deliver food items to the McPherson Co. Food Bank. 

“I think the food drive is a great way for us to help out our communities and show them we are involved,” said Shannon Hastings, Accounts Payable Specialist at Moundridge. She helped organize the food drive as a member of the MKC Community Involvement Committee, sharing in the responsibility of spreading the word within the communities about the food drive.

Jason Creed, Director of Energy Operations for MKC and Community Involvement Committee member, said that the food drive is an excellent way to involve employees as well as customers and producers of MKC in their communities.

“Originally the plan was to have the food drive in the fall”, Creed explained, “but we decided to hold it in the summer since food banks struggle with donations then.”

During the drive, a friendly competition was established between the northern and southern area to see which could raise the largest amount of food in pounds, with the overall goal set of 1,000 pounds total. More than bragging rights were at stake when Lange decided to up the ante with his own friendly wager.

“I talked to Steve Peterson and asked if he would engage in a friendly public challenge to see if the employees of the North could out donate the employees of the South.  Thus we came up with the idea to put $100 of our own money on the line with the loser giving the money to the winner’s choice of charity,” said Lange. Peterson, who is the Director of Northern Operations, accepted the challenge, and the challenge was started.

Over all a total of 2,539.55 pounds were collected, with the southern area collecting 1,126.55 pounds and the northern area collecting 1,351 pounds, making the northern area the winner. The Lindsborg location had the highest amount collected at 540 pounds.

Donations made during the MKC food drive were kept in the county where they were donated as much as possible, depending on the capacity of the food pantry and need.

“I don’t think everyone realizes how much food banks help,” Creed said recalling the number of people he saw in the McPherson County Food Bank when he was there for a tour.

According to a USDA report published in 2010, 14.5% of the people in Kansas are considered to be food insecure and 5% are at very low food security. Food insecurity is described as “reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake.” Very low food insecurity is considered to be “Reports of multiple indications of disputed eating patterns and reduced food intake.”

The MKC Community Involvement Committee food drive is just one way MKC is involved in the fight against hunger. A cash donation totaling $15,200 was also given to the local food banks by MKC in a matching funds program sponsored by Land O’ Lakes.

“The downturn in the general economy over the last few years has put added stress on local food banks and the employees of MKC are committed to helping fill the gap as best we can,” said Lange.