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Story courtesy of Montcalm County Farm Bureau

Montcalm Community College Foundation was recently awarded a Farm Bureau Double-Up Donation to fight food insecurity in the community. Montcalm County Farm Bureau plans to make a $1,000 donation to help stock the student food pantry, the Montcalm Community College Food Source. The Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund (ACF) has committed to match the county’s donation, for a total of $2,000 donated to the pantry.

Montcalm County Farm Bureau has been a longtime supporter of the Montcalm Community College Foundation and is proud to continue coming alongside in service. As Montcalm County Farm Bureau Administrative Manager Melissa Gustavison says, “The county works closely with the college and the students in their agriculture programs, as well as hosting the county’s Project RED onsite. The student-run food pantry on campus provides food to other students in need and their families free of charge. They are also hoping to expand the services to provide snack stations throughout campus for those who can’t afford lunch while onsite taking classes.”

The ACF Double-Up Donation Program supports county Farm Bureaus’ efforts to end hunger in their communities by providing matching funds to local organizations and programs which represent the ACF mission. County Farm Bureaus initiate the nomination and donation process, and the selected program is approved for an ACF matching donation by a committee of ACF donors based on the need of the organization, population being served and overall goal of the program.  

ACF donation match through the Double-Up program can also count towards the county’s Harvest for All totals. Harvest for All is a year-long campaign, created by the American Farm Bureau Federation, that encourages Farm Bureau members across the country and in Michigan to work together to fight hunger in their communities. The district that contributes the most pounds of food, volunteer hours and dollars is recognized at the state level and given $1,000 to distribute to a hunger-relief organization of their choice.

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.