When our communities needed them more than ever, schools, food banks, pantries, and community organizations all across the state stepped up in incredible ways. Because of them, kids throughout Indiana have remained nourished during the crisis.
These frontline hunger heroes – school nutrition and transportation professionals, community leaders, administrators, teachers, and volunteers – have done everything they can to ensure that kids continue to have access to meals. They’ve worked tirelessly, often for longer shifts and without days off. They’ve also found creative ways to get meals to kids, distributing weekly bags of fresh produce, providing curb-side meal pick-up, and even hopping on school buses to deliver meals directly to kids’ homes. These hunger heroes have shown tremendous dedication over the past weeks, all while juggling mounting stress and uncertainty.
- Marion Community Schools: When was the last time you heard anyone operate the Summer Food Service Program in the snow? Marion Communities are determined to serve meals to kids in need during the pandemic no matter what! In the months of March and April, they provided a quarter of million meals (275,000) through their drive-through food distributions. We thank you for your GIANT effort and for working around the clock to get hungry kids the reliable meals they need!
- Crawford Community Schools: Schools may be closed but that isn’t stopping Crawford Community Schools from making sure their students have the meals they need to continue growing towards greatness. Every Monday they provide 1,200 to 1,300 kids with breakfast and lunch for the week. They moved swiftly to ensure their staff and volunteers had enough personal protective equipment (PPE) by requesting donations from a variety of companies. Impressively, they were able to obtain 820 masks and some plastic bags for lunches! Let’s all say a huge thank you to the folks over at Crawford Community Schools for the amazing work they do!
- MLK Community Center: The center is providing hope to vulnerable communities in Marion county, one of the counties that have been hardest hit by the virus. The MLK Center is a non-profit neighborhood hub that has been feeding local families since schools were closed on March 13th. For example, Lisa Thompson, who is moving her three children to the neighborhood, found herself in a tough position where she had to choose between getting her car fixed and groceries. She chose groceries and out of necessity walked to the center under the rain to pick up meals for her family. In the first two weeks, the center delivered 2,000 meals and in one day are delivering anywhere between 50 and 75 addresses. We are so grateful to MLK Community Center and all of the #HungerHeroes helping kids and families like Lisa now and always.
Since the pandemic began, No Kid Hungry Indiana has provided $145,00 in emergency grants to support the work our hunger heroes are doing across the state. This month, we want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Throughout May, we’ll be celebrating and lifting up the amazing work that’s been happening across the state by:
- Celebrate with us by giving a big “THANK YOU”: You can find brilliant ways to #ThankAHungerHero in your community by taking a look at our toolkit where you will find resources to post on social media and engage with various stakeholders.
- Nominate a Hoosier Hero: We’ve seen countless heroes in our community step up during the COVID-19 crisis. Now it is time to celebrate those Hoosier Heroes for all that they do. Learn more and nominate your hunger hero here for the American Dairy Association of Indiana’s Hoosier Heroes contest.