Food is not a privilege. It’s a basic human right.
Right now, thousands of Hoosiers are struggling to put food on the table as federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits remain on hold – with no established timeline for their return. Across our seven-county region, nearly 150,000 people rely on SNAP to help feed themselves and their families.
In response, a growing coalition of community funders and donors has stepped up to help. Together, they’ve committed more than $1 million to the Central Indiana Food Relief Fund, which provides emergency support to three organizations serving hundreds of food pantries: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Midwest Food Bank of Indiana and Second Helpings.
The fund was launched with a $500,000 anonymous donation and matched quickly by contributions from The Indianapolis Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation). Since then, additional partners have joined in, ensuring local families can continue to access the food they need. You can view the list of those partners below.
Long term, philanthropy alone cannot fill the gap created by cuts to federal SNAP benefits. But right now, we continue to ask our community to join us in supporting our Central Indiana food banks and neighbors in need.
Donate directly to Gleaners, Midwest Food Bank and Second Helpings below. You can also contribute to the Food Relief Fund, which will be managed by United Way, with 100% of donations to be distributed to these three food organizations.
We are joining our partners at Feeding Indiana’s Hungry in calling on local advocates to make their voices heard: We need lawmakers to work together to end the government shutdown and fully fund federal nutrition programs. Send a message to your Congressional representatives at the button below:
Nearly 150,000 people across Central Indiana – in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties – depend on SNAP. Some 49% of SNAP participants in the region are families with children.
Learn more facts and stats about SNAP at the button below.
Food pantries across the region and state rely on volunteers. Search Indy Hunger Network’s Community Compass to find the pantries nearest to you.
Central Indiana Food Relief Fund Donations – $1,328,685
We’d like to thank these funders for their significant support:
Anonymous
Anonymous Fund of Hamilton County Community Foundation
The Indianapolis Foundation
JEWEL Human Services - Eastern Star Church
Lilly Endowment Inc.
Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation)
The Pacers Foundation and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation
Reynolds Family Charitable Fund, a fund of Hamilton County Community Foundation
Kelli Tungate and Michelle Perry Fund, a fund of the Indianapolis Foundation