M1 Fights Local Food Insecurity

M1 recently held Community Summit, an in-service day for its team members. During Community Summit, M1’s participating staff selected and completed community difference projects that impact the communities the credit union serves.

For this year’s Community Summit, M1 was focused and committed to making an impact on food insecurity in multiple local areas throughout Michigan. According to the nonprofit 211 of Northeast Michigan, last year there was a large influx of phone call inquiries about free or discounted food services in the area. Supporting the initiative to address local food insecurity, M1 partnered with four local nonprofits by purchasing food, donating team members’ time, and advocating for the nonprofit’s cause.

The four local nonprofits that M1 supported are:

• Humane Society of Midland County
• Clare Baby Pantry
• Hand 2 Hand
• Midland County Food Assistance Network

By the numbers

Approximately 200 M1 Team Members volunteered (50 Team Members per session) to the community projects.  The projects yielded the following amounts of support to local nonprofits:

Humane Society’s Pet Pantry

• 120 bags of dog and cat food were purchased and packaged into individual bags.
• 640 cans of wet cat food purchased.
• More than 300 packs of food with food and treats created.

Clare Baby Pantry

• Nearly 60 baby kits were created, which included diapers, baby food, teethers, bibs, and baby utensils.
• More than 1,000 diapers purchased.
• 470 jars of baby food purchased.

Hand 2 Hand

• 300 snack packs were assembled for children in West Michigan who are in need of healthy snacks at home on the weekend.
•  1,200 snacks purchased.

Coleman Family Center

• 100 meal kits were created which included pasta sauce, pasta, parmesan cheese, kitchen utensils, and a strainer.

“As one of the key pillars guiding our community giving efforts, we recognize how wellness and the pressing issue of food insecurity are deeply intertwined,” shares Kristen Williamson, M1 Community Relations Leader. "Community Summit was a unique opportunity to extend support to our friends and neighbors in need. We are thrilled to partner with four local nonprofits to amplify our impact and support those in need to further our vision of creating thriving communities."