The Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos Donate 1,000 Easter Food Boxes to those in Need

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. and SOUTH BEND, Ind. – April 2, 2026 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana, and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce a donation of 1,000 food boxes to help those in need for the Easter holiday on Sunday, April 5.  The distribution will be coordinated by Four Winds Casinos, Michigan Food Pantries, and Feeding America Indiana through 8 different locations.  Pokagon Band Citizens will also be among the recipients.  Each food box contains a smoked ham, a bag of Yukon potatoes, a can of pineapple slices, a can of creamed corn, two boxes of corn bread mix, a bag of mini marshmallows, light brown sugar, and strawberry Jello.  The Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos previously donated 1,000 food boxes in April of 2025 for Easter, 1,000 food boxes in November of 2025 for Thanksgiving, and 1,800 food boxes in December of 2025 for Christmas.

Michigan Food Pantries will make a portion of the donated Easter food boxes available at the following locations:

• Decatur Human Services
• Salvation Army Benton Harbor

Feeding America Indiana will make a portion of the donated Easter food boxes available at the following locations:

• Broadway Christian Parish in South Bend
• Clay Church in South Bend
• Community Food Pantry of St. Joseph County
• First United Methodist Church in South Bend
• MAC Albright in Mishawaka
• River Park Food Pantry in South Bend

“2026 marks the eleventh consecutive year that the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos has provided meals for the Easter holiday,” said Matthew Wesaw, Tribal Council Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana.  “This program would not be possible without the support of the Pokagon Tribal Council, Pokagon Citizens, our Four Winds Casino employees, and several community organizations.  We hope this annual contribution makes a difference to the recipients and serves as inspiration for others to emulate.”

Mary Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Four Winds Casinos added, “Since the start of our holiday meal program we have delivered more than 20,000 meals to individuals and families to put food on the table for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We are thankful for the generosity of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council as well as the partnership with all the organizations we have worked with over the years.”

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 6,400 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 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.

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