What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Feeding America West Michigan: Benton Harbor
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Kenneth R. Estelle – President and CEO Cindy Thompson – Benton Harbor (SW) Branch Manager
Business Contact Information
1488 E Empire Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
2699262646
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
I believe up to 5 with the rest volunteers.
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Feeding American West Michigan of Benton Harbor supports many people in the areas of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. They also have mobile units that go into the neighborhoods and feed our people. The mobile units provide fresh, healthy food. To make sure it gets to people as quickly as possible, the mobile units are refrigerated. They provide food to hundreds of food pantries, meal programs, and senior centers, including ours at The Salvation Army. In 2018, they distributed 2.2 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 1.9 million meals, in Southwest Michigan. All throughout the covid pandemic, our food pantry remained stocked because of the good work of Feeding America. They are being nominated because no one feeds Michigan the way they do. We are grateful for their relationship and because of their intention on making sure families are fed, we can rely upon and trust that Feeding America West Michigan is there to support us.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
In The Salvation Army, part of our mission statement is to “preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and meet human needs without descrimination.” Making sure people are fed is a real human need. Feeding America supports human needs while serving many people. They are in the community, serving our families and friends. That’s why as a company, they deserve to be declared one of the best places to work in Southwest Michigan.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
Here is a quote from one of their employees on why they love working at Feeding America, and what keeps them part of the team. “I enjoy talking about what food insecurity really is and how it impacts people in our area. Getting to see aha moments where people understand ‘wow that could be me’ and sharing that eye-opening perspective with others is so important. Then seeing the progression from when they learn about us, to them volunteering, then maybe doing a food drive, which can then turn into a donation. That’s the fun part for me.”
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Google or Indeed. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
I thoroughly enjoy visiting Feeding America West Michigan of Benton Harbor! They have a passion for helping people and learning what the community needs. We always get our food pantry items from them. One of my best memories of them was coming to The Salvation Army to get to know us more, see our pantry, and sat with us to talk about their goals to continue to spread love to others. When we go to pick up food from Feeding America, the process is easy. We bring our truck into their warehouse and they help us load our van. Their service is always appreciated and kind when we interact with their staff. All in all, I recommend you use their service, as you will never be disappointed with their service, the food they have, and their help.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
1. Encouraging
2. Community-Driven
3. Intentional
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
– The ability to melt hunger. It is Feeding America’s vision to see no one hungry and Feeding America of Benton Harbor do just that.
– The ability to hate waste. Feeding America of Benton Harbor saves waste and turns them into groceries. This food goes directly to people who are facing hunger in our community.
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? People who work at or with Feeding America of Benton Harbor are encouraged to help others. Working there helps attract talent, boost employee morale, and improve employee retention through team building and leadership development opportunities. There are always ways to help others.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? Individuals and groups are encouraged to get involved. Fresh ideas come from people who volunteer and serve.
C] Keep communications open? Feeding America is transparent about every donation received and works well with staff and volunteers.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
“It all began with a root vegetable: carrots. Rev. Don Eddy, director of United Methodist Metropolitan Ministries, called a meeting to discuss the concept of a West Michigan agency resembling Gleaners Community Food Bank, which was founded in 1977 in Detroit. He made the decision to assemble such a group after seeing a truckload of perfectly good carrots being composted on a farm in Grant. On that day, he asked the farmers to stop dumping and told them that he knew a lot of people struggling to put food on their tables who could really benefit from the carrots.”
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? There is always room to grow and move to higher positions.
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? Feeding America in Benton Harbor is a small team that work well with others in the community.
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? They seek to see what the community needs and fight to end hunger. They provide refrigeration, trucks, and help in our community.
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? They celebrate life by arming to provide knowledge and tools to set a foundation to lead to healthy lives. They are intentional on stopping hunger.
Q16
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
That every dollar donated to Feed America, 98% of that goes directly to serving others!
Q17
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
1.Growth and employment promotion.
2.Tuition Reimbursement toward a bachelor’s degree after a year of service.
3.The ability to take time off to continue volunteering in the community.
Q18
Anything else you’d like to mention about this company, its’ leadership, etc?
Feeding America of Benton Harbor is loved by and relied on by the community. They may have received honors for their work in the past, but they deserve the chance to receive recognition and smell their flowers now.
