The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced nearly every aspect of Second Helpings’ operations from the changing food supply to the growing need for meals.
This health crisis also changed our volunteer workforce. Many people chose to restrict their ventures outside the home, due to higher risk factors or other challenges. These decisions were perfectly appropriate and understood – no one was expected to put themselves at risk.
Still, the fact remained that the number of available volunteers dropped by 59% between February and the end of April. Over the same time period, we changed from making congregate meals to send to partner agencies to packaging nutritious meals for families and individuals and making thousands of sandwiches a week; and our staff split schedules to reduce the number of people in the building at a time.
Thankfully, this gap in peoplepower wasn’t felt for long. On March 16, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-04, which activated the Indiana National Guard to “assist in this public health emergency.” On April 8, 12 Guard members were assigned to Second Helpings.
Second Lieutenant Logan King prepares meals for delivery.
For four months, these Guardsmen and women have been onsite six days a week and have played a crucial role in every piece of Second Helpings’ operations: managing sanitation protocols, rescuing food, preparing meals, processing food donations, and delivering meals.
“In the last four months we have shattered records for the amount of food rescued, and the number of meals prepared and delivered, and expanded our geographical reach,” shares Nora Spitznogle, Senior Director of Programs. “We simply could not have kept up with this growing need without the Guard.”
Having a reliable workforce provides stability for the organization during a very uncertain time, and that stability is critical to our ability to scale up our internal operations as needed.
“Having the opportunity to help the community that we live in is the best part about being in the National Guard,” says Second Lieutenant Logan King. “This is the reason why many of us have joined; to answer the call when asked to serve. The volunteers and staff at Second Helpings have been more than generous to us and we can’t thank you enough for welcoming us into your workplace. We are happy to help!”
The Guard has put in over 6,000 hours with Second Helpings, helped prepare and deliver thousands of meals, rescue and sort countless pallets of nutritious food, and made a difference every step of the way.
“I never thought a military relationship would become a part of our operations, but these troops have become invaluable members of our team,” Spitznogle says. “They are willing to do any task needed, train and support volunteers, and it has been a joy getting to know them.”
Specialist Luisa Kolb reenlisted in the Indiana National Guard in June, and the team held her swearing-in ceremony in the Hunger Relief Kitchen.
Please join us in thanking the Guard members who have served with Second Helpings:
- Second Lieutenant Logan King
- First Sergeant Gregory Wheat
- Staff Sergeant Joshua Mehringer
- Sergeant Edward Thurman
- Corporal Ethan Collins
- Corporal Justin Wilde
- Specialist Andrew Cutshaw
- Specialist Brock Drennan
- Specialist Dianna Rollag
- Specialist Luisa Kolb
- Specialist Steven Woods
- Specialist Yoonho Lee
- Private First Class Ace Goins
You have fed thousands of Hoosiers, and on behalf of a grateful community facing immense challenges, thank you for your service.