Jan. 31 is the deadline for applying for a new Feeding the Future Grant from Farm Bureau Insurance's Agent Charitable Fund (ACF).
New to ACF's lineup of grant programs, Feeding the Future awards of up to $2,500 will go to Michigan public, private or charter school districts demonstrating a need to combat food insecurity within its student body. Interested school district officials should work with their local Farm Bureau Insurance agent to apply; click on 'find an agent' at the Farm Bureau Insurance website.
Available twice annually, another cycle of Feeding the Future Grants will be available in the fall.
ACF is a donor-designated fund within the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, launched in 2018 by agents passionate about supporting their local communities and striving to end hunger in Michigan.
Alpena-based agent Bobby Barrigar co-chairs the effort.
'The Agent Charitable Fund is a group of Farm Bureau Insurance agents who seek to solve the problem of hunger in our Michigan communities, specifically when children are impacted,' Barrigar said. 'It's a way to combine the efforts of independent agents across the state to make a larger impact, and at a fast pace.
Since its inception, donors have pledged and raised more than $1 million in support; more than 200 agents statewide donate upwards of $170,000 annually toward the fund's support.
In three years the fund has given more than $379,000 to communities fighting to end hunger:
- $75,000 to school districts and nonprofits committed to ensuring no child goes hungry;
- More than $187,000 to support families struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic;
- $10,000 to feed Detroit's most vulnerable populations through the Eastern Market's pop-up farmers market program;
- The donation of two refrigerated trailers to the Food Bank Council of Michigan -- one filled with milk and one filled with turkey, pork and milk;
- Supporting 68 organizations and school districts with grants to support programming which ensures children and families receive much needed food throughout the year.
ACF also manages two other hunger relief programs:
- County Farm Bureau Double Up Donation Program -- Supporting county Farm Bureaus' efforts to end hunger in their communities by providing matching funds to local organizations and programs representing the ACF mission. Donations will be matched on a first-come, first-served basis and are available up to $2,500 per county while funds last.
- Emergency Grants -- Supporting local nonprofits with missions related to hunger relief, which have recently encountered an emergency or natural disaster within their establishment or the greater community. Grants amounts may vary based on need and circumstance, not to exceed $50,000 per year. Work with your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent to apply.