2023 statement

At Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB), our founding goal remains our priority: to alleviate hunger one meal at a time. We work to create a future where everyone has access to nourishing food. We acknowledge that hundreds of years of inequities and systemic discrimination have presented barriers to accessing basic human rights, including food security. Our vision of a hunger-free community cannot truly occur until oppression, racism and discrimination of all kinds no longer exist.

GLFB takes seriously our 2020 statement and our 2013 policy (see below). Our board and staff committees work to ensure continuous implementation of practices that benefit our local population.

2020 statement

When we say, “no one deserves to go hungry,” it is our duty to ensure this includes Black families and others in communities of color and diverse populations who need and deserve our support. We believe Black lives matter and we stand in solidarity with our neighbors in the fight against racism. Going forward, we are committed to looking at our own operations and programs and to working with community partners to change systemic inequities that keep us from accomplishing our mission.

2013 policy

The Greater Lansing Food Bank recognizes that the talents and diversities of our workforce are key components to our ability to address the issues of hunger in the communities we serve. As such, the Greater Lansing Food Bank Board of Directors is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a caring culture of diversity and inclusion in all that we do. Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. As a community driven and supported organization, we should seek out and retain the finest human talent, reflective of the people we serve, to ensure top performance and outcomes.

Accepting diversity as an asset to our organization benefits employees, teams, our organization as a whole, as well as the communities, families and individuals we serve. We recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences and characteristics to their work. We value such diversity at all levels of the Greater Lansing Food Bank.

We believe in treating all people with dignity and respect. We strive to create and foster a supportive and understanding environment in which all individuals realize their maximum potential within the organization, regardless of their differences. We are committed to employing the best people to do the best job possible. We recognize the importance of reflecting the diversity of the communities and people we serve in our workforce. As the people we serve are diverse in a multitude of ways, so should we embrace and support the differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender, national origin, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, physical and mental ability, political affiliation and other characteristics that make our employees unique and productive.

All employees are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion during work, at work functions on or off the work site, and at all other company-sponsored and participative events. All employees are also required to attend and complete annual diversity awareness training to enhance their knowledge to fulfill this responsibility.

Any employee found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behavior against others may be subject to disciplinary action.

Employees who believe they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with the company’s diversity policy and initiatives should seek assistance from their supervisor or the Executive Director if more appropriate.