HANCOCK COUNTY – Donations and volunteers are always welcome at local food banks in Hancock County, and there are several opportunities for those in need to grab a bite to eat.
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 is located at 741 ½ S. Ind. 9, 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. Plans are for the pantry to move to a new location in early 2024.
-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.
-Wellspring Center, located in 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. 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 St. John United Church of Christ with a free community meal at 5 p.m. the third Thursday of the month; David Nolen Pantry of Hope open 5-7 p.m. Thursdays at Hope Center Indy; Groceries of Grace and Grace Garden through Cross of Grace Lutheran Church; Northside Christian Church in Greenfield; Shirley-Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church; Vineyard Community Church; and The Fountain Church in Fountaintown.
-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 317-46-9700 or visit lifechoicescarecenter.org for more.
-Fortville Area Resource Mission (FARM) offers a food pantry from 12:30-2:30 p.m. each Tuesday at 9450 N. 200 W., Fortville. Gleaner’s Mobile Food Pantry comes to Fortville Christian Church the fourth Saturday of the month, April through September as well. For more and how to support, visit fortvillearearesourcemission.org.
While local churches and nonprofit organizations provide food and meals, several neighborhoods and parks also have small sites for anyone to drop off or grab food, any time of the day. Blessing Boxes are located throughout Hancock County, providing 24/7 access to nonperishable food as supplied by any member of the community.
Love in the Name of Christ of Greater Hancock County provides this updated list of blessing boxes in local communities:
Greenfield Elk Lodge, 820 S. State St., Greenfield
Greenfield Police Station, 116 S. State St., Greenfield
Greenfield Commons Park, W 5th St., Greenfield
Maple’s Mobile Home Park, 547 Pratt St., Greenfield
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 1009 S. 100 E., Greenfield
Riley Park Tennis Court, U.S. 40 near Apple Street, Greenfield
New Palestine locations: 35 E. Main St. (behind the building), 27 W. Main St., and 18 E. Mill St.
Fortville Village Apartments, 750 N. Madison St., Fortville
