News

Indiana’s food banks receive a historic $2 million

Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture have announced that Indiana’s 11 food banks will receive $2 million to support ongoing efforts to feed Hoosiers in need.

Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, says providing for food insecure Hoosiers is a priority.

“I am proud that the General Assembly recognized this by appropriating additional state funding towards our Indiana food banks,” she said in a news release.

According to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Indiana’s food banks and food pantries are serving more Hoosier neighbors now than during the pandemic because of inflation and its lingering economic impact.

Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, says member food banks are serving record numbers of Hoosier families as relief programs that help families makes ends meet have tapered off or ended.

“Too many in our communities continue to make difficult choices between paying bills and buying groceries. For any Hoosier to be unsure from where their next meal will come is unacceptable. We’re grateful for the support of the Indiana General Assembly, Lt. Gov. Crouch, and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture for providing additional support to our members to help them serve our neighbors and our communities,” she said in the release.

ISDA Director Don Lamb says he’s hopeful this increased funding will go a long way in supporting these organizations.

“Organizations like Indiana food banks are what makes growing food so rewarding,” Lamb said in a statement. “They have the necessary resources and skills to distribute large amounts of food and help community members in need. We are so thankful for the work they do for their communities across the state in helping food insecure Hoosiers.”

The funding was provided by the Indiana Legislature, as part of its biennial budget. The historic amount is double what was received last year. The distribution amounts were determined using The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TFAP) fair share percentages for Indiana, which captures poverty and unemployment levels in each county.

A list of the food banks receiving funding for fiscal year 2024:

• Community Harvest Food Bank – $200,000
• Dare to Care Food Bank – $72,200
• Food Bank of Northern Indiana – $233,000
• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana – $195,200
• Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. – $185,000
• FreeStore Foodbank– $16,600
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc. – $643,600
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Inc. – $86,200
• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central IN, Inc. – $157,400
• Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, Inc. – $87,800
• Tri-State Food Bank, Inc. – $123,000