Feeding central and southern Indiana

Compiled by Natalie Hoefer

Below is a partial list of parishes and Catholic organizations that shared information with The Criterion on new or continued programs to feed the hungry in this time of increased need during the COVID-19 outbreak. See the listings in our May 8 issue here. More listings will follow in the May 22 issue.
 

• St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus has a feeding program every Sunday afternoon at the parish. During the crisis it has been pick-up only, but a team of volunteers continues to prepare and make the food available for the people who come for assistance. The parish is also part of the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County, which funds the Love Chapel food pantry, in addition to other services. The food pantry has seen a 500 percent increase in the number of people requesting help.

• All Saints Parish in Dearborn County is partnering with the North Dearborn and Sunman Food Pantries to feed the local community. The parish also recently formed a Compassionate Care Ministry to foster outreach in the local community that has been crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic by reaching out to the elderly to share conversation and deliver groceries and medicine.

• St. Mary Parish in Indianapolis is inviting its parishioners to participate in a project called “Give Back.” Individuals who do not need the government stimulus check are encouraged to give it back, partial or full, to a fund to assist those in the Indianapolis area who were let go or furloughed to help them buy food, basic necessities and pay housing costs. To donate, mail a check to the parish or go to saintmarysindy.weshareonline.org and click on “Give Back.” One-hundred percent of contributions are used to assist the unemployed in the Indianapolis area.

• St. Barnabas and St. Matthew the Apostle parishes, both in Indianapolis, partnered to distribute food bags on Good Friday at the St. Anthony and Holy Trinity food pantry that is run by St. Barnabas Parish.

• The Food Pantry of Catholic Charities Terre Haute continues to feed all in need at its Fishes and Loaves Soup Kitchen Monday-Friday; to provide sack lunches on Saturdays and Sundays; and to provide sack lunches during the week in partnership with the Vigo County School Corporation.

• The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Shelby County provides food voucher cards for Aldi and Kroger grocery stores to those in need St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville and St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelby County are also working together to provide food for health care workers during the pandemic. †