NEW BUFFALO, MI – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana, and its Four Winds Casinos have donated 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 eight 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 Decatur Human Services and the Salvation Army Benton Harbor. Feeding America Indiana will make a portion of the donated Easter food boxes available at Broadway Christian Parish in South Bend, Clay Church in South Bend, the Community Food Pantry of St. Joseph County, First United Methodist Church in South Bend, MAC Albright in Mishawaka, and River Park Food Pantry in South Bend.
“2026 marks the 11th 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.”
“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,” said Mary Smith, President and CEO of Four Winds Casinos. “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.”
