History
The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN) is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization established in 1983 as a cooperative effort of area churches and other organizations to provide food and supplies to people in Midland County who have emergency needs, and are living near or below the Federal poverty level income guidelines.
In January and February 1982, unemployment in Midland County rose from 12.6% to 13.7%. Discussions began at Memorial Presbyterian Church on how to help the growing food needs of those in Midland County. A pantry was established at Memorial Presbyterian. It was apparent that the need would increase. A survey was conducted in 1982 to determine how to help those in need. Over 200 surveys were completed and the results showed that the majority of those polled preferred emergency food rather than other food assistance such as a soup kitchen.
In 1983, the Network was established with five pantry sites. EFPN has grown over the years to encompass a number of special programs as well as eight pantries.
In 2018, because of the generous support of Midland area foundations and donors, we were able to purchase and renovate a building at 503 S. Saginaw Rd. This building houses the EFPN office, SAMS Pantry and a warehouse. The establishment of the warehouse allows us to store food donations not designated for a specific pantry, receive our Food Bank of Eastern Michigan deliveries as well as receive food donations from Hidden Harvest. This food is shared among our pantries as well as support some of our special programs.
Responsibilities
The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN) provides coordination among pantries, supporting churches, groups, and agencies in the distribution of food and supplies by:
- Maintaining the office of the EFPN Coordinator who interviews referred persons, contacts the pantries, keeps records, and maintains contact with churches and social agencies.
- Providing information and policy guidelines to participating churches, community groups, and donors.
- Acting as an agent to receive and distribute among member pantries various donations, gifts, or grants from churches, groups, and individuals.
- Cooperating and coordinating with other agencies to improve the level of human service activity within the Midland County community.
- Funding and administering various programs to help special groups in Midland County including the BackPack Buddies Program, Senior Delivery Service, Medical Nutrition Program, and the Student Assistance Program.
Governance
The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN) is governed by by-laws, policies, and guidelines established by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors includes four officers, representatives from each pantry, and six to ten members-at-large representing supporting churches and groups..
Membership in EFPN is open to any church or group that operates a food pantry that is part of the EFPN Network, sponsor an EFPN program or that has made an in-kind or cash donation of at least $2000 for the work of EFPN during the calendar year. Each participating church or organization is entitled to send two voting representatives to the annual meeting which is held in April, and to submit names for nomination to the Board of Directors.
EFPN is a non-profit tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. EFPN has an annual financial review by a CPA.
Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (“EFPN”) does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, nor retaliate for prior civil rights activity in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network Board of Directors
| Officers | Name | Affiliation |
| President | Kimberly Birch | Community Representative |
| Vice President | Linden Rogers | Dow Inc. |
| Secretary | Rich Helling | Trinity Lutheran Church |
| Treasurer | Lea Weeks | Dow Inc. |
| Members At Large | ||
| Andrew Ault | United Church of Christ | |
| Debra Ahn | Community Representative | |
| Angela Buske | Blessed Sacrament Church | |
| Rev. Jim Harrison | St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
| Molly Hovey | Community Representative | |
| Jim Forgie | Wheeler Road Church of Christ | |
| Marty McGuire | Community Representative | |
| Sally Ann Sutton | Community Representative | |
| Doug VanHala | Memorial Presbyterian Church | |
| Pantry Representatives | ||
| Connie Glave | Bullock Creek Outreach | |
| Ravia DeShone | Greater Midland Coleman Family Center | |
| Georgia Pelli | Greater Midland North Family Center | |
| Susan Hoshaw | Memorial Presbyterian Church | |
| Dana Pressnall | St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
| Kathy Nogaski | Sanford Pantry | |
| Renee Young | West Midland Family Center | |
| Vicki Phillips | Wheeler Road Church of Christ |
Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network Staff
- Coordinator: Colleen
- Office Manager: Danielle Bessemer
- Outreach Manager: Pesi Kennett
Partner Organizations
The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Networks partners with The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Feeding America, and Hidden Harvest in order to serve the people of Midland County. We also partner with Chippewa Nature Center, Senior Services, Cancer Services, DaVita Dialysis, Department of Health and Human Serves, 211, and Michigan State University Extension Services. The work of EFPN is supported by numerous organizations, churches and individuals within Midland County.