By Tom Spalding, Communications Volunteer
On two key fronts, November was truly a month to remember at Boulevard Place Food Pantry. Across our 10 open days in November (four fewer than usual due to the Thanksgiving holiday), the pantry averaged 133 clients per day, slightly higher than October. Our waiting room was packed, the parking lot was overflowing and hungry Hoosiers from Marion County and beyond came seeking relief we were grateful to provide.
Client need had already been rising even before November’s SNAP-benefits disruption tied to the federal government shutdown. Hunger-relief organizations like ours—a special work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Indianapolis Council—saw demand surge sharply.
An Outpouring of Community Support
That heightened need was met with an extraordinary wave of generosity during October and November. In addition to our regular bulk food distributions from Gleaners, Second Helpings and SVdP Indy, our five primary parish allies—Immaculate Heart of Mary, Christ the King, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Luke and St. Joan of Arc—mobilized in full force. Students, teachers, parishioners and parents coordinated food drives that brought in thousands of pounds of pantry staples.
So much arrived that our volunteer stockers had to get creative finding space in the warehouse to store it all.
Businesses in the shopping area adjacent to the pantry stepped up as well, offering customer discounts in exchange for a nonperishable item to donate—with Hoagies & Hops and KurlyKoils among the early leaders. Even individuals unaffiliated with us organized pop-up food drives and brought their leftovers straight to our door.
Our shelves have been stacked high, but as always, the food goes out as quickly as it comes in. We also received generous financial donations, including support from the Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association and from GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet, which contributed proceeds from its hot-dog eating contest (complete with custom shirts bearing our name!).
A Sampling of Donations Received (Nov. 15–25)
• Broad Ripple Farmers Market: 252 pounds of kale, carrots and tomatoes
• Marion, Inc.: 212 pounds of turkeys
• Anonymous neighbor on Rookwood Street: 200 pounds of assorted dry goods
• Illinois Street Food Pantry: 27 pounds of pastries
• Rise ’n’ Roll Bakery: 200 pounds of donuts
Community Partners Who Deserve a Shout-Out
Our heartfelt thanks to Knights of Columbus (71st Street), Safeway, Woodstock Club, International School, Tarkington Tower, Innovid, Gateway neighborhood, Triumph Boxing, CFI 84, Heron School, the town of Rocky Ripple, Goose the Market, Unitarian Universalist Church, Bishop Chatard, Taylor Made Wellness, Beirman Autism Centers, Fairview Early Childhood program, Girl Scouts, Common Ground and many, many generous individuals.
