Last Updated on June 8, 2026 by Kari-Ann Ryan
On May 29, 2026, Elk Grove Township honored the organizations and individuals who have made the greatest impact on the community through its annual Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) Fundraiser. Mid-West Moving & Storage was named Business Partner of the Year, recognizing the company’s sustained commitment to community service, charitable giving, and hunger relief across the Chicagoland area.
This recognition reflects years of consistent action, not a single gesture. It is a testament to what happens when a business decides that serving its community is just as important as serving its customers. Read the full press release here.
About the Community Empowerment Fund Award
The Elk Grove Township Community Empowerment Fund was established in 2018 to provide critical support to residents facing unexpected hardships. The CEF helps individuals and families maintain housing stability, access essential resources, and navigate difficult circumstances that may fall outside the scope of traditional assistance programs.
Each year, the CEF Annual Fundraiser celebrates businesses and individuals who advance the Township’s mission of “Empowering People Through Community.” The Business Partner of the Year award is given to an organization that has demonstrated a deep, ongoing commitment to the people and institutions that make Elk Grove Township a stronger community.
Mid-West Moving & Storage earned that recognition through years of showing up, year after year.
A Company Built on More Than Moving
Mid-West Moving & Storage has served Chicagoland since 1983, growing into one of the region’s most trusted Elk Grove Village Based Movers. From the beginning, founder and CEO Luis Toledo built the company with the understanding that a responsible business contributes to the community it operates in.
“At our core, we are a moving company, helping people and businesses through times of transition,” Toledo said during his acceptance speech at the CEF fundraiser. “But we’ve always believed our responsibility extends beyond moving furniture and boxes. Strong businesses should also help move their communities forward.”
That belief is not just a statement. It is reflected in the company’s record of community involvement over more than four decades in the Chicagoland area.
Move For Hunger: 16 Years of Partnership and 74,000 Pounds of Food Delivered
Mid-West Moving & Storage joined the Move For Hunger network in 2010, making it one of the longest-standing partners in the Chicagoland region. Move For Hunger is a national nonprofit that works with moving companies to collect non-perishable food donations from customers during the relocation process and deliver them to local food banks and pantries.
Since joining the network, Mid-West Moving & Storage has:
- Collected and transported more than 74,000 pounds of food
- Helped provide the equivalent of over 62,000 meals to families facing food insecurity
Behind those numbers are thousands of individual moves where a crew member asked a customer if they had food to donate, and then made sure it was delivered to someone who needed it. That is what consistent, values-driven community involvement looks like in practice.
The Fill-A-Truck Food Drive: Growing Every Year
The Fill-A-Truck Food Drive has become one of Mid-West Moving & Storage’s signature community initiatives. Each year, the company brings together employees, customers, local businesses, and community partners to collect donated food for the Elk Grove Township Food Pantry. The drive directly addresses the growing demand for food assistance in the region and has expanded steadily as more partners and donors join the effort.
In 2025, the Fill-A-Truck Food Drive collected 8,000 pounds of food for the Elk Grove Township Food Pantry.
“What makes this award especially meaningful is that it represents the collective effort of our employees, customers, community partners, and everyone who donated even a single item,” Toledo said. “The incredible growth we’ve seen in our food drive is proof of what can happen when businesses and communities come together to help their neighbors.”
A Broader Commitment to the Communities We Serve
Hunger relief is the most visible part of Mid-West Moving & Storage’s community work, but the company’s involvement extends well beyond food drives. Mid-West Moving & Storage actively supports:
- Local nonprofits focused on housing, education, and basic needs
- Community organizations across Chicagoland and the Northwest suburbs
- Educational institutions and youth programs
- Fundraising events that serve the neighborhoods and communities where the company operates
The company also maintains partnerships with BOMA Chicago and a network of local organizations committed to community-minded business practices.
What This Recognition Means to Us
Receiving the Business Partner of the Year award from Elk Grove Township is an honor we do not take lightly. It reflects the dedication of our entire team, the generosity of our customers and community partners, and years of shared effort to make a real difference in the communities we serve.
Community involvement has always been part of who we are at Mid-West Moving & Storage. We have never viewed it as separate from our business. When we help a family relocate, when we collect food donations during a move, or when we organize the Fill-A-Truck Food Drive each year, it all comes from the same place: a genuine commitment to the people and neighborhoods that have supported us for more than 40 years.
We are grateful to Elk Grove Township and the Community Empowerment Fund for this recognition, and we look forward to continuing to grow our impact alongside the outstanding organizations and partners who make it all possible.
About Mid-West Moving & Storage
Mid-West Moving & Storage has been serving Chicagoland since 1983. The company provides residential, commercial, industrial, international, and specialty moving and storage services and is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Mid-West Moving & Storage is recognized throughout the region for its commitment to ethical business practices, exceptional customer service, and meaningful community involvement.
To learn more about the Fill-A-Truck Food Drive or the company’s partnership with Move For Hunger, visit midwestmoving.com.
Planning a move in the Chicagoland area? Contact Mid-West Moving & Storage for a free quote. When you move with us, you also help support the communities we all call home.
Director of Marketing & Development
Kari-Ann Ryan is a dynamic marketing strategist with a proven track record in brand development, corporate visibility, and business growth. As the Director of Marketing & Development for Mid-West Moving & Storage and Chicago Office Movers, she leads all branding, marketing, and business development initiatives, driving awareness and engagement across multiple industries.
With extensive experience in multi-brand marketing, nonprofit fundraising, event planning, and retail management, Kari-Ann brings a comprehensive and results-driven approach to her role. She is a dedicated leader in the business community, actively involved in the Schaumburg Business Association and the GOA Regional Business Association. She also serves as a Board Member for the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, reinforcing her commitment to advocacy and philanthropy.
In addition to her corporate role, Kari-Ann is the founder of LMJ’s Lost Souls – Alzheimer’s Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to awareness, education, and fundraising for Alzheimer’s research and support.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Western Michigan University and is Certified in Constant Contact Email Marketing, with expertise in social media strategy and digital engagement.
