Agent Charitable Fund donates refrigerated trailer to Food Bank

Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan’s Agent Charitable Fund (ACF) recently donated a 53-foot refrigerated trailer filled with apples to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan (FBEM) during Farm Bureau’s Volunteer Days.

This donation marks the fourth refrigerated trailer ACF has donated to one of Michigan’s regional food banks to assist with their food distribution needs.

“We’re excited to support the great work at FBEM and appreciate all of the Farm Bureau and community partners who helped make this contribution possible,” said ACF chair Bobby Barrigar, an Alpena-based Farm Bureau Insurance agent.

FBEM provides more than 30 million pounds of food each year through a network of nearly 600 hunger relief partners in 22 counties.

“This contribution is the result of many moving pieces, from West Michigan all the way up to Northeast Michigan,” said ACF co-chair Kelly Obenauf, a Farm Bureau Insurance agent in Rockford. “Having the support of so many local partners helps make a larger, collective impact in the fight against food insecurity.”

The contribution was coordinated with the support of the Food Bank Council of Michigan and FBEM. The trailer was purchased from All-Star Equipment (Byron Center), wrapped at Omega Electric (Alpena), and transported by Male Construction (Alpena) and Rock Trucking (Merrill).

Thanks to the coordination and generosity of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA), Riveridge Produce in Sparta, and the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies, 12 pallets of apples were donated in-kind to fill the trailer and further support our hungry neighbors in eastern Michigan.

“We are profoundly grateful for the collaborative efforts of the Agent Charitable Fund, Food Bank Council of Michigan, Michigan Agricultural Cooperative, Michigan Farm Bureau, and Riveridge Produce,” said Kara Ross, FBEM president and CEO.

“Their generous donation of a trailer filled with apples will help in our efforts to bring nutritious food to those who need it most. The unwavering support of our partners and the community fuels our determination to meet the rising demand and ensure that no one in eastern Michigan goes hungry. Together, we’re making a tangible difference in the lives of so many individuals and families.”

Check out the video above to learn more.

^{The ACF, whose mission is to end hunger in Michigan, is a donor-designated fund administered through the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. The Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, a 501(c)(3) governed by Michigan Farm Bureau’s board of directors, positively contributes to the future of Michigan agriculture through leadership and educational programming. Through grant programs like Feeding the Future, Farm Bureau agents, clients and partners provide food and educational programs to Michigan residents struggling with hunger and aid the more than 3,000 hunger-relief agencies throughout the state.}