Disaster Relief and Response
The Supply Line to the Front Lines in Times of Disaster
Harvesters collects food and household products to feed hungry people locally and to help those in need when a disaster strikes. Harvesters is one of Feeding America’s regional disaster response sites and is able to send food, water and cleaning supplies to disaster areas on short notice.
Harvesters is a member of The Midwest Disaster-Ready Region cohort of food banks. The cohort is dedicated to collaboratively enhancing our preparedness and response capabilities in crisis situations. By leveraging our collective resources, expertise, and community connections, we aim to ensure swift, effective support for those neighbors impacted by disasters, fostering resilience and recovery across our region.
The cohort’s mission is to enhance disaster preparedness and response through unified efforts. By working together, we believe that we can better ensure that the communities we collectively serve receive the necessary support and resources during times of crisis.
Several partners in Harvesters’ agency network are also trained and ready to help us respond to disasters in our immediate area.
The Disaster after the Disaster
When a natural disaster occurs, everyone wants to reach out, to help…to do something! However, a natural disaster is often followed by a “man-made disaster,” which occurs when well-meaning individuals and organizations begin making random donations of items such as food and clothing before emergency responders know what is needed.
Harvesters works closely at both the state and national levels to support other disaster response efforts by making useful items available in a coordinated manner.
