Miami Valley Meals recovers and transforms donated food into meals, and then distributes them through nonprofit partners that serve families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. We provide nourishing meals made with love that honor the dignity of those we serve.

Please note: MVM will be closed for a holiday break from Dec 23-Jan 4.

MONTHLY PROGRAM UPDATE

FOOD DONOR APPRECIATION

MVM crew excited about items donated from the Dayton Convention Center

Your food donations fuel deliciousness and care!

We want to take a moment to thank all of our food donors who contribute to our meal program.

About 90% of the food we use for meals is donated. From protein to fresh produce, canned goods, pantry staples, and bakery items, your donations keep our kitchen running. Raw and prepared ingredients are transformed into 4,000+ readymade meals each week.

Some recent highlights of food donation transformations include:

• Gordon Food Service's fresh tomatoes, used to prepare a homemade sauce for pasta dishes
• Feast of Giving's Thanksgiving leftovers, where roast turkey was used in turkey stew, turkey tetrazzini, and more, and pies and brownies helped fill the dessert portion for thousands of trays
• Global Pragathi's granola bars, peanut butter, and canned goods leftover from a giveaway event were used to create non-perishable snack packs
• City Barbeque catering items, where smoked chicken and corn pudding from a cancelled event helped fill 35 family pans
• NCR Country Club catering items, where beef tenderloin was transformed into a hearty beef stew

Thank you for helping us provide love and care to our community through food.

If you or someone you know represents a food business that would like to turn their surplus into meals for our neighbors in need, please connect them with us! Click the button below to learn more.

WHAT'S NEW

Chef Gabi Odebode, founder of Afromeals Foundation, poses with a meal she helped create.

Collaboration with Afromeals Foundation

In November, we launched a new collaboration with Chef Gabi Odebode from Afromeals Foundation.

Each month, she will join us in the kitchen to make a special batch of meals to be shared with MVM partners serving African immigrant communities, many of whom recently lost access to SNAP benefits.

These meals will be shared through our existing partner network. Funding is needed to continue and expand - please contact Amanda at amanda@miamivalleymeals.org if you'd like to support.

MVM staff Taylor and Angie pose with Dr. Beverley Wheeler at DC Central Kitchen.

Visit to DC Central Kitchen

MVM is always dreaming big to a space and level of service that can make an even greater impact for our families facing food insecurity. This is why it was such a joy for Taylor and Angie to make a visit to DC Central Kitchen.

They got a full tour of the DC Central Kitchen's Klein Center for Jobs and Justice and attended their Capital Food Fight event.

This trip was made possible by a special funding opportunity from The Dayton Foundation and Mathile Family Foundation's Nonprofit Capacity Building Program.

Chef Julisa in the Living Dayton kitchen with hosts Emily and Grace

Cooking lesson with Chef Julisa

Dry beans are a common ingredient many receive at food pantries, but not everyone knows how to cook them.

MVM Chef Julisa recently demonstrated her favorite way to cook dry pinto beans. (Pro tip: our Give Back Garlic Blast and Feel Good Fusion spice blends are a great addition.)

This is a skill anyone could use in their own kitchen. Check it out for yourself.

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

MVM spices = perfect stocking stuffer

Shop local and support hunger relief at the same time with our chef-crafted spice blends.

They're full of flavor and versatile for any home cook. Our spice blends are produced locally by Big Axe Spice in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Find them at local markets or shop online.

Vote for Bill for Jeff's Heroes!

Earlier this year, MVM Co-founder Bill Evans was nominated for Jeff's Heroes!

Bill has been a life-long hunger relief advocate and is always working on service projects to benefit our community. He is a huge part of our story and we are so happy he has been recognized.

The winner of this year's campaign will win $10,000 and a brand new car from Jeff Schmitt Auto Group.

Public voting begins Dec 23. Mark your calendars and vote for Bill daily through Dec 31!

Pierogi are back!

Our fan-favorite fundraiser, Pierogi with a Purpose, is coming back in February 2026.

Stay tuned for more details on how you can get our homemade pierogi and for volunteer opportunities.

New this year: Sponsorships! Want to be The Big Cheese or a Dough Gooder? Reach out to Taylor@miamivalleymeals.org for more information.

Special thanks to our intern Becca from The Modern College of Design for giving this event a brand refresh!

Please note: MVM will be closed for a holiday break from Dec 23-Jan 4.

MEAL OF THE MONTH

Thanksgiving Leftovers Become Turkey Stew with Herbed Drop Biscuits

The turkey doesn't stop after Thanksgiving here at MVM. A special rescue from Feast of Giving last month helped us share this delicious meal (and more) with our community after the holiday.

KITCHEN KUDOS

The MVM team would like to extend our thanks to these amazing people and companies who have recently supported our mission.

• Mudlick Tap House, Koji Burger, Partial to Pie, Painting with a Twist and Porothea Dennis, Rooted in Ritual, Wayne & Clover, UD Interfraternity Council, The Silos, and David Strohscher recently hosted benefit events in support of MVM.
• Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association (OHHA) invited us to be a participating charity in this year's Charity Night at the Races, a race which resulted in a $3,000 gift to MVM. Special thanks to MVM volunteer Ed Marrinan for nominating us for this opportunity.
• Cross Street Partners, hosts of Holly Days at the Arcade partnered with MVM to collect food donations and host a gift wrapping space during the event. Special thanks to Megan Dunn Peters for welcoming us and coordinating all the details.
• Board members Bonnie Baker-Tattershall and Bill Sibbing are wrapping up their terms after years of service to MVM. Bill has been a board member since day one and Bonnie served as President from 2022-2024. Thank you for your service and leadership, Bonnie and Bill!
• Our Communications Manager Taylor Naragon was recently named a Woman to Watch in 2026.
• MVM intern Becca Windhausen from The Modern College of Design just wrapped up her time with us, helping rebrand our Pierogi with a Purpose event and create custom illustrations.
• Recent volunteer groups who have helped us in the kitchen: Premier Health, Avery Dennison, Business Furniture, Kiwanis of Dayton, CJ High School, Daya, Shaw Elementary, USAF, HHI, Leadership Dayton, WSU Alumni, Dayton Rotary Club, Sinclair Sociology, St. Leonard Faith Community, Kettering Health Foundation, Edward Jones, Wright-Patt Credit Union, Reynolds & Reynolds, Kettering Health Culinary & Nutrition, Montgomery County Commissioners, City of Victory Deliverance, Trimark, Sueño, Leonardo DRS, Health Carousel, and HNB Law.
• The newest members of our Scoop Squad, a special group of volunteers who have reached 50+ hours served: Athena Dean, Dave Haig, Ed Marrinan, Brandon McLemore, John Bialek, Melissa Berger, Jamie Pohl, and Noah Zinkiewicz.

Thank you!

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