For the past six years, Christophel has planted fields for the Foods Resource Bank (FRB), an organization that helps to alleviate hunger on a global scale. Locally farmers grow crops that are sold and that money is donated to the FRB, which uses it to help third world nations become food secure.

“I had been planting for the Foods Resource Bank - wheat and corn - and then I decided to do something local,” said Christophel.

Three years ago was the first time Christophel planted sweet corn, with the idea of using it as a fundraiser for his daughter and son-in-law's church. He planted a few rows of corn at the end of his field corn for this purpose. As Christophel puts it, his grandkids got busy with other activities and volunteers to pick the corn were hard to come by. He decided he'd pick the corn and, with nothing better to do with it, he donated it to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan.

Each year the Food Bank distributes fresh produce during it's Fresh Food Initiative. At 19 sites in their service area, hungry people can get fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as other grocery products directly in their neighborhoods. Christophel's corn was distributed this way.

After that first year of success, Christophel decided to plant more corn, specifically for the Food Bank. Unfortunately, not enough rainfall proved to be the end of that crop, but Christophel planted a few varieties of corn this year with the hopes of bringing in a large supply of fresh sweet corn for the Food Bank.

According to Christophel, it was kind of a “no-brainer.” He plants the corn using the same machinery, just different seed. He also uses the same fertilizer that he would use on the rest of his field, making the few extra rows of corn easy to maintain. “It makes it really easy one me,” he said. Volunteers come out to pick the corn, making the project one that has a big impact on feeding the hungry, without being overwhelming for one farmer to accomplish.

Christophel, who has been farming all his life, says he wishes more farmers would get involved and share their resources in order to make sure that hungry people in their own backyards get fed.

If you would like to volunteer to be a corn picker at Christophel's field or you are a farmer who is interested in harvesting a row of vegetables for the Food Bank, call the FBSCM at 269-964-3663.

The Food Bank of South Central Michigan serves a 275 member hunger-relief network, helping area families in Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lenawee and St. Joseph counties. The Food Bank is a member of America's Second Harvest The Nation's Food Bank Network and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The Food Bank is also a United Way program delivery partner.

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