Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard directed checks be written Tuesday to support four Carmel food pantries in need of donations to help provide food to those who are now homebound during the COVID-19 crisis. Those checks – totaling $25,000 – were hand delivered today by the Carmel Police Department to the Merciful Help Center at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the Carmel United Methodist Food Pantry and the Bread of Life Pantry at Venture Christian Church. A fourth check was hand-delivered Wednesday to Carmel Friends Church.
The mayor directed that the City use funds in his annual budget for immediate distribution to the Carmel food pantries. These funds were in the budget to support local initiatives that provide vital services to those most in need in our community.
Brainard
“Nothing is more important at this time than helping our neighbors, especially the elderly and under-privileged who rely on our local food pantries for survival,” said Brainard. “With children home from school and many working from home, the need is even greater. I urge all of our residents to check on their neighbors and help provide support during this trying time.”
The City learned late Tuesday morning that the city’s largest food pantry, Merciful Help Center, completely ran out of food on Monday. The demand has been great and financial assistance will help them resupply the pantry.
Because of the threat of spreading the virus, those in need of food cannot simply enter the food pantries; now they must pull up to the curb and work with volunteers to place orders and wait on their food to be carried to their cars. Because of this, food pantries are also in need of more volunteers.
Each of the three largest food pantries – Merciful Help, Carmel United Methodist and Bread of Life – received $7,500 checks Tuesday while the smaller pantry at Carmel Friends Church (open only one day a week) is getting $2,500.
The City urges local residents and businesses to help support this cause. Below is a list of food pantries and their hours of operation.
Merciful Help Center
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Campus
1045 W. 146th St., Carmel
South side of Matthew 25 Center (Blue Awning)
- Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to noon; 5 to 7 p.m.
- Thursdays: 10 a.m. to noon
- Saturdays: 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Carmel United Methodist Church
621 N. Range Line Road, Carmel
Mission House side door next to garage
(Dry goods will be quarantined for 48 hours prior to use)
- Mondays: 1 to 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 1 to 7 p.m.
- Wednesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bread of Life Pantry
Venture Christian Church
14501 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel
(317) 846-9828
- Wednesdays: 5 to 6:30 p.m.
- 1st and 3rd Saturdays: 10 a.m. to noon
Carmel Friends Church
651 W. Main St., Carmel
(317) 846-5090
- Wednesdays: 9 to 11:30 a.m.
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For volunteering, food requests and any other special problems caused by COVID-19, or for more information, email help@carmel.in.gov.