Agent Charitable Fund Awards $25,000 in Grants to School and Childhood Hunger Relief

The Michigan Farm Bureau Agent Charitable Fund recently awarded $25,000 in grants to fight childhood food insecurity throughout the state. These funds will be used for weekend backpack programs, breakfast programs and other efforts to get healthy, nutritious food to our most at-risk populations.

Take a moment to congratulate the following agents and organizations awarded grants in this cycle.

Organization Recommending Agent Grant Amount
Allendale Public Schools Nolan Kamer $2,500
Corunna Public Schools Rick Kingsbury $2,500
Friends of EPBP Tim Fritz $2,500
Grand Rapids Dream Center Jeremy Underwood $2,500
Grayling Baptist Church Katie Olson $2,500
Hand2Hand Randy Katerberg $2,500
Hand2Hand Jonathan Hop $2,500
(Ministries-East Saugatuck Church Branch)
Mason County Reformed Church Matthew Knizacky $2,500
Project Hope Arlo Clemens $2,500
Tawas Area School Kevin Smith $2,500

School districts and community organizations were nominated by a local Farm Bureau Insurance agent and selected by a committee of ACF donors based on the need of the district/region, population being served and overall goal of the program. In 2020, a total of $50,000 will be awarded through this grant program. The next round of Feeding the Future Grants will open in early 2021 and up to 10 additional school districts will receive a $2,500 grant. 

“In some Michigan communities, the only meal kids eat each day is the one they get at school. This is a problem,” commented Merrick Maris, ACF founder and committee co-chair. “The Agent Charitable Fund wants to reduce the pain and anxiety of food insecurity on children and help provide better conditions for students to focus on learning and ultimately, achieving their dreams.” 

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.  

If you would like more information about the ACF, please visit our website or contact Noelle Nachreiner at 517-679-5573, [email protected].