Groceries are loaded into a vehicle at the new site of the Hancock County Food Pantry, 2040 W. Main St., Greenfield.
Submitted photo
HANCOCK COUNTY – People in need of a hot meal or a break on their grocery bills might consider one of several food distribution sites in Hancock County.
Donations and volunteers are always welcome at local food banks, and there are several opportunities for those in need to pick up a free or low-cost meal for their families.
From blessing boxes to food pantries, here’s a look at where to get something to eat locally and how to donate.
-Hancock County Food Food Pantry recently moved to 2040 W. Main St., Greenfield and offers distribution of items each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Visit hancockcountyfoodpantry.com for hours or call 317-468-0273. Donations can be received on Mondays from 8-10 a.m. or during any of the regular food distribution hours. The website also provides a way for people to give; for every $1 donated, the food pantry is able to purchase $9 worth of food.
-Fortville Area Resource Mission (FARM) offers a food pantry from 12:30-2:30 p.m. each Tuesday at 9450 N. 200 W., Fortville. An evening pantry is available at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for a free meal. For more and how to support, visit fortvillearearesourcemission.org.
-The Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, located at 202 E. Main St., Greenfield, offers lunch 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and dinner 5-7 p.m. each weekday. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit kbmsk.org.
-Gleaners/MVCSC Food Bank provides a drive-through food pantry twice a month at Mt. Vernon High School, 8112 N. 200 W., Fortville. The pantry is available to Mt. Vernon district residents only. Upcoming dates are 9-11 a.m. Feb. 13 and 4-6 p.m. Feb. 27. Cars should line up at Door 20 for boxes of dry, non-perishable food, meats and more. Visit mvcsc.k12.in.us/community for more information. Gleaners also offers food distribution at other local sites, like the Hancock County Food Pantry, Fortville Area Resource Mission and Wellspring Center.
-Wellspring Center, located at Brandywine Community Church, offers nonperishable food and fresh and frozen items, as well as seasonal items from a community garden. The center, 1551 E. New Road, Greenfield, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays. Community meals are also offered occasionally. Those who want to donate can drop off items during those hours; nonperishable items can be dropped off any day during office hours in baskets at either doorway of the church. For more, visit wellspringind.org, call 317-462-2015 or email [email protected]. Monetary donations can be made through brandywinechurch.org/give.
-Several other local churches have food pantries and community meals, including David Nolen Pantry of Hope open 5-7 p.m. Thursdays at Hope Center Indy, 11850 Brookville Road, Indianapolis; Groceries of Grace and Grace Garden through Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, 3519 S. 600W., New Palestine; Shirley-Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church, 309 South St., Shirley; Mt. Comfort Vineyard Food Pantry, 1672 N. CR 600W., Greenfield; and The Fountain, 797 W. Brookville Road, Fountaintown; and Community Outreach Ministry Eastside at First Baptist Church of Cumberland, 116 S. Muessing St., Indianapolis. Russ’ Table offers a free lunch and social time the second Wednesday of each month at Wilkinson Church of Christ 7293 N. Ind. 109, Wilkinson.
-Life Choices Care Center offers food and resources for babies and young children. Located at 1454 N. State St., Greenfield, the agency is open 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 317-467-9700 or visit lifechoicescarecenter.org for more.
-SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food assistance to low- and no-income families. Contact the Hancock County Division of Family Resources for more at 800-403-0864 or visit 12190 N. State St., Suite A, Greenfield.
-Meals on Wheels of Hancock County delivered one hot and one cold meal at lunchtime weekdays. There is no age or income restriction; cost is based on income, and participants must lie in Hancock County. Call 317-477-4345 for details.
-The Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA) delivers freshly-prepared, frozen meals every two weeks to residents of Marion and surrounding counties. Suggested contribution is $3 per meal. Eligibility restrictions apply; call 317-803-6131 for more.
-Connect2Help 211 is an information referral line that connects people to vital social services, such as food, clothing, shelter or counseling. When a person calls 2-1-1, specially-trained information and referral personnel assess what services are needed and provide the appropriate resource and related information. The service is free and confidential.
