Sharing Food, Strengthening Community: Meet Samantha McKenzie
Watch Episode 39 of
The Max Loves Midland Show
Coming soon!
Samantha McKenzie, In Her Own Words:
“I’m Samantha McKenzie, President and CEO of Hidden Harvest. My work centers on a core belief: sharing food is one of the most meaningful ways we show people they matter.
I grew up in Kingston, a small town in the Thumb with one blinking caution light. If we wanted to shop, see a movie, go bowling, or do much of anything beyond the basics, we usually drove about an hour. Saginaw became a familiar place for my family, and eventually, it became where I went to college at Saginaw Valley State University.
When I first started at SVSU, I thought I might go into occupational therapy. I was trying to figure out a practical path, but the more I became involved in volunteering and community work, the more I realized nonprofit service was where my heart was.
That path really began at Hospitality House, a place that provides housing for families going through a medical crisis. One of my college roommates moved there to serve as a night manager, and not long after, I did the same. It was essentially a home away from home for people who were facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. Families arrived after a NICU stay, a stroke, a heart attack, or an unexpected emergency. Many came with nothing because when a crisis happens, you do not stop to pack food for the week. You just go.
I was 20 years old when I stepped into leadership at Hospitality House, and that experience shaped my life. I met my husband there. I helped open McNally House on the campus of Covenant HealthCare and Emerson House near what is now MyMichigan Health. Every week, I would visit Hidden Harvest to pick up food for the families staying with us. We might have soup in a crockpot, chicken warming in the oven, or bagels waiting in the kitchen. That food offered comfort. It told people, ‘You are welcome here. You are not alone.’
I remember thinking how powerful that was. Hidden Harvest was not just moving food. It was helping people feel cared for in a moment when they were exhausted and overwhelmed. Years later, I had the opportunity to join the organization myself, and I have now served as President and CEO of Hidden Harvest for 10 years.
Hidden Harvest is a regional organization. Our office and warehouse are in Saginaw, and we primarily serve Saginaw, Bay, and Midland counties, while also reaching into additional counties when there is a need and an opportunity to help. But Midland is an incredibly important part of our story. In Midland County alone, we work with around 40 partner agencies, including organizations in Coleman, West Midland, North Midland, the City of Midland, and the southern part of the county.
Our Midland County driver, Paige, grew up here, and that local knowledge matters. She knows the programs, the routes, and the agencies. She knows where extra food from a school or Dow Diamond can make the greatest impact. She understands that one organization may be able to use wrapped hot dogs or catered pans of pulled pork right away, while another may need produce, pantry items, or snacks for children coming in after school.
Last year, Hidden Harvest rescued and distributed 3.8 million pounds of food, valued at around $11 million, and we gave it all away for free. The only thing we ask of our partner agencies is that they share it for free as well. That model allows our partners to focus more of their resources on their missions. Food supports shelters, treatment centers, youth programs, tutoring programs, food pantries, family centers, and so many other places where people are already being served.
In Midland, we are fortunate to work alongside incredible partners, including Midland County Food Assistance Network, Phoenix Community Farm, Caregiving Network, West Midland Family Center, North Midland Family Center, the Legacy Center, Family and Children’s Services, Shelterhouse, Memorial Presbyterian Church, and many others. Some are food-focused organizations. Others are not, but they understand that food can remove a barrier. A hungry child has a harder time learning. A person working on their mental health may be carrying the stress of an empty refrigerator. A family in crisis may need one less thing to worry about.
Right now, we are also in the middle of a major expansion project. The full project is around $8.8 to $8.9 million, and we have raised about $8.4 million so far. We still have a gap to close, but we have been deeply grateful for support from Midland County, including Rotary, Kiwanis, the Midland Area Community Foundation, local family foundations, and many generous people who believe in this mission.
We also have several upcoming opportunities for the community to support our work. On May 28, World Hunger Day, join us to learn more about hunger in our region and discover how you can help make a difference. The day before, visit us at the Midland Area Farmers Market to purchase fundraiser and kayak raffle tickets in support of our mission.
Then, on June 24, we will host Celebrating Good Taste at Dow Diamond. It is our annual fundraiser and a wonderful food-centered event. Chefs from across the region come together to provide tasting stations, and we are grateful for supporters like Dow Diamond, Chef Sergey, The Maple Grille, the Great Hall, Dow’s corporate chefs, Hemlock Semiconductor’s chef, Michigan Cream & Sugar, and many others. The event also includes live and silent auctions, offering a meaningful way to celebrate the people, businesses, and partners who help make our mission possible.
When I think about the future of Midland, I hope we continue to care for one another in practical, generous ways. I would love to see less food wasted and more resources placed directly into the hands of people who need them. I know life can change quickly. A medical emergency, a lost job, an unexpected home repair, or one major bill can create real hardship.
My dream is for Midland to remain a community where we work together, share what we have, and use every resource to help others. By relying on our strong organizations, generous businesses, dedicated volunteers, and caring neighbors, we can reduce hunger, increase support, and ensure everyone belongs.”
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?