Over $1 million donated to Central Indiana Food Relief Fund

INDIANAPOLIS — A group of community funders has launched the Central Indiana Food Relief Fund, totaling over $1 million, in response to the cuts to federal SNAP benefits beginning on Saturday.

According to a press release by United Way of Central Indiana, beginning next week on Monday, 100% of donated funds will be distributed by Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Midwest Food Bank of Indiana and Second Helpings.

“We believe that food is more than fuel, it’s dignity, it’s opportunities and it’s hope,” Second Helpings CEO Linda Broadfoot said. “Right now, as uncertainty grows for the most vulnerable in our community around the government shutdown, our neighbors need that hope more than ever.”

An anonymous donor kick-started the fund when they donated $500,000.

The hope was that the community would match or exceed the original donation. The Indianapolis Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) all came together to match, which then made it a $1 million fund.

The city of Indianapolis, along with Cummins and IU Health, also partnered to provide $200,000 in funding to Gleaners Food Bank to subsidize the efforts of neighborhood food pantries, according to the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office.

The city of Indianapolis put up $100,000 in unspent funds to help with food access and outreach across the city. IU Health and Cummins then chipped in to bring the total to $200,000 in funding to Gleaners Food Bank to subsidize the efforts of neighborhood food pantries, according to the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office.

”Frankly, it makes me proud to be a Hoosier because in times of need, when Hoosiers are in need, this is what happens,” Jim Schacht, Cummins vice president of corporate responsibility, said. 

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the effects of the government shutdown on SNAP have made for uncertain times at the federal level. Now, it’s up to local leaders to take charge and help where they can.

“More than 120,000 Marion County residents will lose their SNAP benefits on November 1st. These 120,000 people are our neighbors here in Indianapolis, and it is imperative that we all work together to prevent any neighbor of ours from going hungry,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “I want to thank Cummins and IU Health for amplifying the City’s efforts to provide food across the County, and I encourage other businesses and community members to donate and volunteer at their local food bank or through organizations like Gleaners and Second Helpings.” 

The fund is managed by United Way, and the community is invited to donate additional funds here.

Additionally, the funding will also be used to increase capacity at 10 distribution events planned throughout November by the Office of Public Health and Safety. The dates of the 10 events can be found below.

• November 1, 2 to 4 p.m.: Bethel Cathedral AME | 6417 Zionsville Road
• November 8, 12 to 2 p.m.: Fountain Square Church of Christ | 1041 Spruce St., 46230
• November 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Charity Cares | 959 N. Holmes Ave., 46222
• November 15, 12 to 3 p.m.: Eclectic Souls VOICES Corp.| 9501 E. 36th Pl., 46235
• November 19, 8:30 a.m.: Rock of the World, Salt of the Earth | 8833 Bel Air Dr., 46226
• November 20, 4 to 6 p.m.: with Indy Peace | 1825 E. 25^th St., 46218
• November 24, 3 to 5 p.m.: Lawrence Park | 5301 N. Franklin Drive
• November 25, 12 to 2:30 p.m.: Breeding Tabernacle CME | 3670 N. Leland Ave., 46218
• November 26, 3 to 5 p.m.: Stanley Strader | 2850 Bethel Ave., 46203

“Food is not a privilege; it’s a basic human right,” said Fred Payne, United Way of Central Indiana’s president and CEO. “United Way is proud to stand alongside its partners and other funders to respond to this critical need and help hard-working families put food on the table. Philanthropy alone cannot fill this gap. But we are calling on our community right now to join us, support our food banks and help our neighbors in need.”

For those who need food assistance, the Indy Hunger Network has developed a free digital tool called the Community Compass, which will help find food assistance near them. It can be downloaded from app stores or accessed here.