Frank VanderSloot and Melaleuca Recognized for Charitable Efforts to Feed the Hungry
Frank VanderSloot and Melaleuca Recognized for Charitable Efforts to Feed the Hungry
Melaleuca founder and Executive Chairman Frank VanderSloot has been recognized by The Idaho Foodbank for his generosity in feeding the hungry across the state. This recognition stems from Melaleuca’s significant efforts to combat food insecurity in Idaho, particularly through a substantial donation of high-quality protein.
In March 2024, Melaleuca donated nearly 25,000 pounds of ground beef and steak to the Idaho Foodbank—more than $216,400 worth of beef. Through The Idaho Foodbank, the beef was distributed to various partner organizations across eastern Idaho, such as Community Food Basket in Idaho Falls.
Specifically, this donation came from Riverbend Meats, LLC, a sister company affiliated with Melaleuca and Riverbend Ranch. This donation filled an entire semi-truck with 12,183 pounds of ground beef, 7135 pounds of diced steak and 5,641 pounds of steak strips.
Randy Ford, president and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank, emphasized the importance of Melaleuca’s contribution. “Protein is highly sought after by those we serve,” he said. “And this valuable donation arrives at a critical time when many in our communities face food insecurity. We’re grateful for Melaleuca’s philanthropic partnership and their ongoing efforts to support Idahoans in need.”
This marked the second time that Melaleuca donated to The Idaho Foodbank: in 2023, Melaleuca gave more than $12,000 to the nonprofit to provide up to 50,000 meals for food-insecure individuals in Idaho.
In 2022, Melaleuca paid off the mortgage for the Community Food Basket’s storage warehouse. The donation totaled more than $51,000 and enabled the nonprofit to reallocate its $3,000 monthly mortgage. Instead of going toward debt payments, the money instead was used to purchase more food and help more families in need.
Enhancing Lives across the Nation
Melaleuca has always been committed to its mission of enhancing lives, which it demonstrates through charitable activities such as feeding the hungry, running to the rescue after natural disasters and honoring our heroes.
Recently, Melaleuca Team Members have volunteered at food banks and helped clean up the environment. They helped pay for a new box truck that St. Vincent de Paul of Pocatello uses for its food services programs, provided thousands of dollars’ worth of food to hungry children through United Way, and contributed $75,000 to the Salvation Army to help construct a new commercial kitchen dedicated to feeding the hungry.
In 2023, when a devastating wildfire destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina in western Maui, Frank VanderSloot led an effort that donated over $240,000 worth of beef to feed victims who had lost everything. Coupled with donations from local ranchers, the beef was able to feed wildfire victims for two months.