At Second Helpings, we recognize we’re only as strong as the agencies we serve. It doesn’t matter how much food we rescue and prepare in our hunger relief kitchen, unless our partner agencies can reach the hungry Hoosiers who need them most. Second Helpings recently reached the milestone of serving 1 million meals in a year, a goal our volunteers have been working towards for several years. With that milestone in mind, we decided to shine a light on where many of those meals go.
When you donate or volunteer at Second Helpings, your support extends to the incredible missions of 85 other partner agencies that provide a broad range of critical services to Central Indiana residents every day. We are so grateful to be a part of the incredible work these organizations do in the Indianapolis community.
10 agencies that received the most meals from July 2015-June 2016:
10. Visions Child Care (20,424 meals) – Visions Childcare received the millionth meal in a year on November 2, 2016. Visions serves a hot lunch and dinner to 30 children every day of the week from Second Helpings.
9. Edna Martin Christian Center (24,142 meals) – Edna Martin serves in the Martindale-Brightwood area. It provides essential services to the neighborhood for all ages, including HSE assistance, job training, childcare ministries, youth programming, and senior programming
8. Craine House (24,356 meals) – Craine House serves women who have been in the prison system and their children. “Second Helpings believes in us and has remained a huge supporter for many years,” stated Chef Chris Van Nevel
7. Cathedral Kitchen (28,540 meals) – Cathedral Kitchen serves anyone who needs a hot meal seven days a week. “Second Helpings serves a large amount of people and agencies who are totally dependent on them to receive a hot meal,” explained Volunteer Director Dr. Margie Pike.
6. Holy Cross (31,187 meals) – Seeing a need in the community as well as afterschool children, Holy Cross recently began a community meal on the Near Eastside. “It’s more than just food. It’s about empowering people and community and spreading hope,” stated Volunteer Director Linda Clodfelter.
5. The Julian Center (31,767 meals) – “Without Second Helpings, our food budget would be ‘out of the roof,’” explained Director of Operations Lillian Brown. Julian Center serves thousands of domestic violence and abuse victims every year.
4. Dayspring Center (33,642 meals) – Dayspring provides hope and holistic services to families suffering from homelessness. “We just could not do what we do without Second Helpings,” remarked Kitchen Manager Roscoe Chambliss.
3. Pride Academies (74,447 meals) – The two locations of PRIDE Academy cares for children no matter the work schedule of their parents. PRIDE serves 300 meals every day to children, all of whom come from low income families.
2. Wheeler Mission Ministries (101,710 meals) – Wheeler Mission Ministries provides basic services such as food and shelter to many of those struggling with addiction, homelessness, or other issues. It also provides further services such as residential and addiction recovery programs. “We always know that Second Helpings will be there for us. It’s a Godsend to the community,” remarked Assistant Director for Food Service Anthony Jackson.
1. Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis – Central Indiana (107,176 meals) – In seven stand-alone locations (including five Indianapolis clubs, one Noblesville club, and one Lebanon club), the Boys and Girls clubs serve thousands of children and teenagers every year through programs that help them grow and learn. They also receive a free meal. “Second Helpings is a pebble in a pond of food insecurity and hunger. Its effects are small at first, but creates waves that affect many people,” stated Finish Line Unit Director Juan Ongay.
Second Helpings is proud to not only serve these wonderful, important agencies, but 75 other social service agencies throughout Central Indiana that provide essential services to the community.
Written by Abby Rolland