The Pokagon Band And Its Four Winds Casinos Donate 1,000 Christmas Food Boxes To Those In Need

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. and SOUTH BEND, Ind. – December 19, 2023 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and its Four Winds® Casinos announced today a donation of 1,000 food boxes to those in need for Christmas.  This year’s Christmas food box includes a Smoked Ham, Corn, Idaho Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Dole Pineapple Slices, and a Pumpkin Pie.  Distribution will be completed through several organizations in Michigan and Indiana, and Four Winds Casinos team members were present today at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, located at 702 Chapin Street in South Bend, to hand out 200 food boxes.

Recipient organizations in Michigan include Marcellus Community Food Pantry in Marcellus; Decatur Human Services in Decatur; Cooperating Ministries/Methodist Church in Hartford; Action Ministry Center in Dowagiac; Child and Family Services of Southwest Michigan; and Lawrence United Methodist Church in Lawrence.

Recipient organizations in Indiana include Feeding America Indiana in South Bend; MAC Albright in Mishawaka; Broadway Christian Parish in South Bend; Clay Church in South Bend; First United Methodist Church in South Bend; and River Park Food Pantry in South Bend.

Commenting on the donation, Rebecca Richards, Tribal Council Chairwoman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi said, “2023 marks the ninth consecutive year the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos have donated food items to those in need during the holiday season.  This annual tradition reinforces our ongoing commitment to being a good neighbor and actively supporting individuals and families in Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana through a variety of causes and initiatives.  We hope these meals provide a sense of relief and joy to those that receive them.”

Clayton Mason, Interim Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Four Winds Casinos added, “The organization and delivery of these holiday meals is a labor of love for our team members.  We are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those that received the meals and the support of several organizations that helped with the distribution.”

Marijo Martinec, the Executive Director and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana said, “We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos to feed the hungry.  Their generosity and long-term commitment continue to make a positive difference for many families struggling with hunger.”

About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994.  The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care, and cultural preservation for its more than 6,000 citizens.  The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana.  Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind.  In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018.  The Pokagon Band operates a variety of non-gaming businesses through its investment enterprises, Mno-Bmadsen and the Pokagon Development Authority.  More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.

# # #

Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com