Emergency Food Pantries

Distribute nonprepared foods and other grocery products to needy clients, who then prepare and use these items where they live.  Some food pantries also distribute fresh and frozen food and nutritious prepared food.  Food is distributed on a short-term or emergency basis until clients are able to meet their food needs.  An agency that picks up boxed food from the food bank to distribute to its clients is included as a food pantry.

 

Emergency Soup Kitchens

Provide prepared meals served at the kitchen to needy clients who do not reside on the premises.  In some instances, kitchens may also provide lighter meals or snacks, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, and other dairy products and prepared food such as sandwiches, for clients to take with them when the kitchen is closed. 

 

Emergency Shelters

Provide shelter and serve one or more meals a day on a short-term basis to low-income clients in need.  Shelter may be the primary or secondary purpose of the service.  Examples include homeless shelters, shelters with substance abuse programs, and transitional shelters such as those for battered women.

 

The Tailgate Program 

Distributes perishable and non-perishable food items in partnership with our member agencies and community sponsors.  Second Harvest Food Bank uses a truck to deliver a truck load of food to a location easily accessed by low-income citizens.  For two hours the agency’s volunteers distribute food directly from the truck to anyone in need. Volunteers take an accurate count of the number of households and individuals served at the Tailgate. We publicize the event through the local newspaper and radio stations listing location, time, and noting the sponsor’s names.

 

The BackPack Program

Helps to meet the needs of hungry children by providing them with nutritious and easy to prepare food to take home on weekends and school vacations when other resources are not available.

 

Kids Cafe

A national program of Feeding America designed to serve wholesome meals exclusively to children.  Kids Cafes make meals available to disadvantaged children in an environment that is safe, accessible, and convenient.  Food is provided by Second Harvest Food Bank at no cost to children, and there are no income guidelines or permissions slips required.  Evening meals are served after school, or lunches are offered during summer months.

 

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) 

A national program designed to serve wholesome meals exclusively to children.  Extending beyond the traditional feeding programs for the hungry, Kids Cafes and SFSP make meals available to disadvantaged children in an environment that is safe, accessible, and convenient.  Food is provided by Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana at no cost to children, and there are no income guidelines or permissions slips required at open sites (They are required at enrolled sites).  Lunches and snacks are provided during summer months.

 

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) 

 

Through CSFP, the USDA provides nutritious commodities to help State and Local agencies meet the nutritional needs of low-income elderly persons.  Through local agencies, each participant receives a monthly package of commodities, based on food package guide rates developed by FNS, with input from State and local agencies.  Food packages include such nutritious foods as cereal, juices, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meat or poultry and other protein items, and grain products such as pasta, as well as other foods.  Participants all receive nutrition education.

CSFP participants receive a 40 lb. box of food once a month.  Boxes are currently distributed to elderly residents in Blackford and Wabash Counties.  Our hope is to expand the program into other counties we serve.