About 600,000 Hoosiers and 120,000 Marion County residents accustomed to receiving federal food benefits every month might not receive them starting as early as Nov. 5.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is not funded through November because of the federal government shutdown. The program helps one in eight Americans buy groceries with an average monthly benefit of $187 per person.
That’s why city leaders, local companies and food banks teamed up to create a $1 million-plus partnership and fundraising push to help more than 200 food pantries in Indianapolis and ensure people suddenly losing access to benefits have access to food.
The situation, of course, could change after a federal judge on Thursday indicated she would probably order the Trump administration to use reserves to partially fund food assistance for about 42 million Americans in November
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and food charity leaders gathered at Bethel Cathedral AME church on the northwest side of the city to announce the initiative.
The city is contributing $100,000 in unspent funds from its Office of Public Health and Safety toward food efforts across the city, including expanded food outreach. Local companies Cummins and IU Health teaming to match that amount, bringing the total to $200,000.
The Office of Public Health and Safety will hand out free food at nine events scattered throughout the city, beginning Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Bethel Cathedral AME.
The larger chunk of assistance comes in the form of a $1 million fund from United Way of Central Indiana. An anonymous donor gave $500,000 to kick-start the fundraising, CEO Fred Payne said. The Indianapolis Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Eli Lilly & Co. Foundation matched that amount.
Beginning the week of Nov. 3, 100% of United Way’s Central Indiana Food Relief Fund will be distributed to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Midwest Food Bank of Indiana and Second Helpings.
‘Like preparing for Armageddon’
Fred Glass, president and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank, said that for every meal the entire charitable food system provides, the federal government provides nine. Glass said charity can’t completely fill that gap.
“It feels a little bit like preparing for Armageddon,” Glass said. “I mean, it’s almost impossible to overstate the dramatic impact of just, cold turkey, no SNAP.”
Glass said Gleaners, which operates a food bank and distributes food to 300 in central Indiana, can provide six meals for every dollar donated.
Linda Broadfoot is CEO of Indianapolis nonprofit Second Helpings, which distributes prepared food and prevents food waste. She said Thursday that the organization is already seeing “ripple effects” as its 200-plus community partners—pantries, shelters and senior centers—brace for the increased need.
Second Helpings currently distributes about 5,600 meals a day, but it’s trying to ramp up that output, she said.
Broadfoot applauded the donors and organizations behind the additional funds, but urged more people to donate and volunteer if they can. She said food item like peanut butter, pasta, oil and rice are always needed.
“Our ability to respond depends on the community showing up for us,” Broadfoot said.
Those in need of food assistance can use Indy Hunger Network’s Community Compass to find nearby groceries and meals. The Indy Hunger Network also offers assistance and connection to local food resources through indyfoodresourceshub.org.
Free food distribution events from the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety:
- Nov. 1, 2-4 p.m.: Bethel Cathedral AME, 6417 Zionsville Road
- Nov. 8, noon-2 p.m.: Fountain Square Church of Christ, 1041 Spruce St.
- Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Charity Cares, 959 N. Holmes Ave.
- Nov. 15, noon-3 p.m.: Eclectic Souls Voices Corp., 9501 E. 36th Place.
- Nov. 19, 8:30 a.m.: Rock of the World, Salt of the Earth, 8833 Bel Air Drive
- Nov. 20, 4 to 6 p.m.: with Indy Peace, 1825 E. 25th St.
- Nov.24, 3 to 5 p.m.: Lawrence Park, 5301 N. Franklin Drive
- Nov. 25, 12 to 2:30 p.m.: Breeding Tabernacle CME, 3670 N. Leland Ave.
- Nov. 26, 3 to 5 p.m.: Stanley Strader, 2850 Bethel Ave.
All events are free, with no sign-in or ID-check required.
Food access at Indy Parks
Two Indianapolis parks, Riverside and Windsor Village, have weekly food pantries. These meal programs take place on Wednesdays from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., respectively.
Four parks are currently offering assistance through the Drive and Dish program, which allows residents to register, order groceries, and pick them up at a participating parks location.
Brookside Park, at 3500 Brookside Parkway South Drive, is hosting a food drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 19.
Free meals from Second Helpings are also available at the park on Mondays through Fridays from 4-6 p.m. while supplies last. Additional information about Second Helpings programs at Indianapolis parks will be shared on the Indy Parks website.
Residents can drop off nonperishable food donations Monday through Friday from noon to 7:30 p.m. at the Brookside Park Family Center.