By MARK HALL
Feeding Team Feature
It is not a surprise to anyone when we say that providing food to hungry neighbors is a challenging endeavor most days. Included on the task list of regular activities are gratitude, donations, locations, donors, volunteer interaction, food distribution, hosts, more food, publicity, fundraising, events, food usage, food variety, and pantry maintenance.
It also will not come as a surprise that the last several months have been particularly difficult. Notwithstanding current economic conditions, food donations are up. Concurrently, food use from the pantries is at unprecedented levels. The feedback we receive is that a small percentage of folks are taking much more food per person than we have ever experienced before. Feeding Team is designed to provide a few meals to many people, not many meals to a few.
Recognizing that we had fallen behind the food need, we published an appeal for additional donations, and as has become the norm, dozens of neighbors stepped up to help. These gracious supporters help us bridge the food source gap.
One incredible Feeding Team partner stepped up with over 8,000 meals to supplement the immediate needs of hungry neighbors.
International Disaster Emergency Service (I.D.E.S.) is a largely unknown Hamilton County jewel. These amazing folks provide a wide range of relief services around the world for communities impacted by horrific disasters. This time, Jody England, GAP Director from I.D.E.S., heard about the need and reached out offering support to the hungry in our area. Fast forward a day and he is personally delivering cases of meals. Fast forward another day and nearly one thousand of those meals are distributed by volunteers into pantries all over Hamilton County. Thank you, Jody, I.D.E.S, volunteers, and hosts.
If you’d like to support I.D.E.S., go to ides.org. (Photo provided)
This week pantries 47 and 48 were deployed. Number 47 went to Jay County, right on the square in Portland, Ind. Number 48 is deployed at Victory Baptist church on the corner of 196th Street and State Road 19. We continue to be so very thankful for neighbors stepping up to host, donate, stock, and organize pantries.
With over 27,000 food-challenged neighbors in Hamilton County, FeedingTeam.org provides outdoor 24/7/365 no-questions-asked free food pantries throughout the county.
Neighbors ask, “Why do this? What is in it for you?” The answer is always the same: Serving people feeds my soul. It is a calling, not work.
When criticized or questioned, I encourage people to learn my story before assuming anything. There were suppers when we as a young couple with young kids could only afford Dinty Moore beef stew and a potato for dinner. Surreal moment. This is why the pantries exist. As a typical young family, we could not always make ends meet.
Thank you for embracing the pantries. We love serving with so many neighbors across Hamilton County.
In future columns we will share more stories from neighbors about how your generosity served them in times of need. Be assured that the face of hunger in Hamilton County is not what you may think.
In practical terms, this straightforward way to help neighbors is having real impact on lives, families, and our communities. Thank you. A few meals can change the course of a person’s life. A can of green beans means so much more when you have nothing to feed your kids. Would you like to get involved? We are in the process of evaluating our next pantry locations. If you think you have a potential location, please contact us.
Mark and Lisa Hall are the Founders of Feeding Team. They may be reached at lisa@feedingteam.org and mark@feedingteam.org or by calling (317) 832-1104.