Hoosier food banks receive $2 million in state funding

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana food banks will receive $2 million to support their efforts to feed Hoosiers this year. The funding is double of what was received last year.

“Providing for Hoosiers who are food insecure across our state is a priority,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s secretary of agriculture and rural development.

“I am proud that the General Assembly recognized this by appropriating additional state funding towards our Indiana food banks.”

According to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Indiana has 11 food banks which feed into pantries and soup kitchens across the state.

Each food bank received part of the $2 million in funding, therefore helping all community food pantries, kitchens, churches and more.

This funding will allow food pantries, soup kitchens and other food distribution centers to receive additional food products from the food bank that serves their location.

“Organizations like Indiana food banks are what makes growing food so rewarding,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

“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.

“Hoosier Hills Food Bank is extremely grateful to receive this support from Lt. Gov. Crouch, the General Assembly and ISDA, which will enable us to purchase nutritious food in support of our food insecure Hoosier neighbors,” said Julio Alonso, executive director and CEO of the food bank in Bloomington.

“The increase in funding this year is especially timely because inflation has taken a hard toll on many families and seniors. We’ve seen increases in people seeking help with food and we, along with our fellow food banks across the state, have been working hard to keep them fed even as our own costs have increased. These funds, and the encouragement that comes with them, are truly impactful for us and the people we serve.”

The following food banks will receive 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.