Feinstein Challenge (March-April)
The Feinstein Challenge is the major fund raising event for the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN). Rhode Island philanthropist, Alan Shawn Feinstein offers his one million dollar challenge annually to all non-profit anti-hunger agencies throughout the country. All food and money collected from March 1 to April 30 are counted for this effort. The Emergency Food Pantry Network receives a grant from the Feinstein Foundation in proportion to the total funds and food items received during the challenge period.
National Letter Carriers Food Drive (May)
During the month of May, members of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch #2317, as well as rural carriers, participate in the National Letter Carriers food drive. The Midland County postal workers collect on average 30,000 lbs. of food. This food is distributed to the 7 pantries of the Emergency Food Pantry Network plus other pantries in our community.
Crop Walk (October)
Twenty five percent of the money raised by the Midland County Crop walk stays within the Midland community. The money is divided among the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network, MSU Project Fresh, the Open Door and the Salvation Army. The remaining funds raised are used by Church World Service for national and world wide disaster relief.
http://www.churchworldservice.org/CROP/
Thanksgiving Baskets (November)
This is a community wide program to provide food supplies, gift certificates, and homemade cookies for a Thanksgiving meal to families referred by the Department of Human Services (DHS), EFPN, or community agencies. This program is coordinated by Aldersgate Methodist Church, DHS, and EFPN. The goal is to help 400 families each year.
Sharing Tree (December)
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The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN) participates in the Sharing Tree program, which is coordinated by the United Way Volunteer Center. EFPN gift donations use the red and white tags that are for gifts that are not for specific recipients, but rather for gifts that can be used for recipients of EFPN as the need arises. The requests from the pantries include personal care products, housekeeping supplies, baby care items, hot chocolate, popcorn, canned meals, and gift certificates for diapers, baked goods, and fresh and frozen foods.
Men of Music (December)
A portion of the proceeds from the Men of Music annual Christmas concert is donated to the Emergency Food Pantry Network.