By MARK HALL
Feeding Team Feature
This month’s column is about a neighbor we met recently at a pantry in Carmel. This encounter is a frequent example of what we find to be a face of hunger in Hamilton County.
Two-and-a-half years ago, Alan was well on his way to a successful career with a local company. His earnings opportunities were strong, and he gave little thought to where future meals would come from. Fast forward 24 months and the corporate career has vanished, thanks in part to the virus. Alan now makes a living driving a delivery van overnight around Hamilton County. Food insecurity which had never been an issue in his life is now a reality he faces regularly. Neighbors like Alan are sometimes forced to make difficult choices between rent, heat, medicine, and food.
Alan stops by a pantry in Carmel overnight to carefully pick up the meals he needs to get by. “I only take what I absolutely need,” he commented. “It’s amazing to have a resource like this available to take care of people in need.” Most weeks, Alan stops by once or twice a week for meals between 2 and 3 a.m. Unfortunately, his story is common. Alan and the thousands of other food challenged neighbors in Hamilton County are why we do this. Today, he just happened to stop by for breakfast – Pop-Tarts – right after daybreak at the same time we arrived to stock that pantry. Alan is a notable example of responsible use of the pantries. He takes what he needs, leaving food for other neighbors in need.
Neighbors ask, “Why do this? What’s in it for you?” The answer is always the same: Serving people feeds my soul. It is a calling, not work.
There were many 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. Alan needs food, too.
This is why feedingteam.org exists – all starting from a can of beef stew. Thank you for embracing the pantries. We love serving with you.
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 simple 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 10 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.