In 2008, I was a new Second Helpings Board member. At my first board retreat we recognized that there was something wrong with a hunger relief system where the organizations responsible for the work didn’t know, understand, or talk to each other. From those discussions arose what would eventually become the Indy Hunger Network.
Twelve years later, Indianapolis and indeed, our entire state are benefiting from those first steps.
The Indy Hunger Network consists of the major hunger relief providers in our area, along with the City of Indianapolis, corporate representatives and individuals who are experts in our food systems. Together, we’ve worked to study problems, launch new programs to promote food security and nutrition and created tools to link people to food assistance. Other cities look upon the relationships we’ve built and the work we’ve done with amazement.
I remember my first Network meeting after becoming the Second Helpings’ CEO. My colleagues sat me down and told me the rules – we don’t compete, we collaborate. There’s no turf; we respect the unique role each of us plays in the community, and so on. It’s a “talk” I’ve shared with others as they’ve come to the table.
And despite everything we’ve done over the last 10 years, it pales in comparison to what we’re accomplishing together today.
Not a day goes by during this crisis that I don’t communicate in some way with Gleaners and Midwest Food Bank. We’re keenly aware of what each other is doing to address the impact of COVID-19; we share resources and opportunities, and we work to support and complement each other’s efforts.
What started as an update call among Indy Hunger Network partners in the early days of this crisis has grown to include food banks from across Indiana. Together with state and local health and human services and FEMA representatives, we’re all working together to share information and identify needs to be addressed.
Last week I communicated with someone about our need to use refrigeration at Lucas Oil Stadium for additional storage and they asked whether that might be a “competing interest” with the work that Midwest Food Bank had planned to do there. I could honestly say that there were no competing interests. We’re only competing with two things, COVID-19 and hunger.