Austin Supports Presentation of Farm Bureau Double-Up Donation to The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency

Austin was proud to support the presentation of a Farm Bureau Double-Up Donation to The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency. This donation will work to fight food insecurity in the community. Berrien County Farm Bureau plans to contribute $588 to the organization to help purchase food for neighbors in need. The Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund (ACF) has committed to match the county’s donations for a total of $1,176 donated to Berrien County hunger-relief.

Berrien County Farm Bureau supported the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency in 2024 and is excited to continue their support in 2025. As Berrien County Farm Bureau Administrative Manager Vedette Cordes says, “Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency provides food pantries and commodity food for individuals and families, as well as monthly senior commodities and quarterly family commodities. This organization provides great assistance to our county of Berrien.” 

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 donation match programs like Double-Up Donation, 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.