Last month, I highlighted our 2024 Impact Report, detailing how we help thousands of our neighbors in central and southern Indiana. Our volunteers, donors and staff support make all this good work possible. Of course, this is Christ’s work through our hands, feet and hearts.
Demand for our services has increased significantly over the past few years. The recovery from the pandemic has not been uniform across all of our communities. While many have done well, many have not—and the disparity between these two groups has grown. As a result, shopping at our pantries has increased by double-digit percentages over this timeframe. We encounter many individuals and families who are often called “the working poor.” Many are working multiple jobs and still cannot earn a living wage. The demand for beds, furniture, food, clothing, rent and utility assistance has increased due to inflation, low wages and benefits, high prescription medication costs, and other issues impacting the most vulnerable in our communities.
Charitable social service organizations like SVdP Indy are operating at or beyond capacity to provide some form of safety and comfort. Yet, it is not enough. SVdP Indy is serving at historic levels to meet the needs of so many. For example, before the pandemic, we served, at most, 4,274 families in one week at our 30th Street Food Pantry. For the last 14 weeks, we have averaged more than 4,300 families each week. The recent entitlement cuts, which include reductions to SNAP (food stamps), school lunch programs, and low-cost health insurance (the Healthy Indiana Plan), perpetuate the cycle of impossible choices for those in need. Families skip meals to cover medical or utility bills, and children do not receive the preventive health care necessary for healthy development.
Further, eliminating the USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program reduces the amount of nutritious produce, meat, and dairy products available for us to distribute. Simply put, the loss of programs that once helped us provide support is putting extra strain on our resources.
All this increased service requires more time, volunteers, and money. Can you please help us navigate these challenging times and support our community? Go to our website to give financially or sign up to volunteer. Thank you for your consideration, and may God bless.
