- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana and its Four Winds Casinos announced a donation of 1,000 Christmas food boxes to individuals and families in need.
Each food box includes a ham, fresh potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, mushroom soup, French fried onions, evaporated milk and a pumpkin cake roll.
Please support our year-end campaign. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.
The food boxes will be distributed through several community organizations. Four Winds Casinos team members were at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, 702 Chapin St. in South Bend, Indiana, at 10 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday to distribute 200 boxes.
Additional recipient organizations include Decatur Human Services in Decatur; Marcellus Community Food Pantry in Marcellus; Cooperating Ministries/Methodist Church in Hartford; Caring Connection in Benton Harbor; Lawrence United Methodist Church in Lawrence; and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi citizens.
“The Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos are proud of our continued long-term commitment of charitable giving to organizations and causes that support the needs of the communities in which we reside,” said Matthew Wesaw, tribal council chairman of the Pokagon Band. “Tackling food insecurity has remained a key priority as the Christmas holiday should be a time for joy and celebration, not a source of anxiety and stress. 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, said the holiday meal program has grown significantly over the past decade.
“Since the start of our holiday meal program 10 years ago, we have delivered more than 20,000 meals to individuals and families struggling to put food on the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Smith said. “We are thankful for the generosity of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council as well as the partnership with all of the organizations we have worked with over the years to deliver the meals to those in need.”
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
South Dakota Hotel Owner Found Liable for Discriminating Against Native Americans
Monday Morning (December 22, 2025): Articles You May Have Missed This Past Weekend
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
