It goes without saying that this year was unlike any other. The challenges and opportunities presented to Second Helpings in 2020 would have been unimaginable before they came our way.
While the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly the story that defined this year for us all, we’d like to take some time to reflect on the inspiring generosity and creativity that also filled our year.
One of the lessons we’ve learned repeatedly this year is that amid difficult times, people step up to make a difference.
Between new and expanding partnerships and individual creative efforts, you have given hope to our community through a year full of challenges. People rallied around our mission to #FeedIndy. Even if you couldn’t be in the building, you found ways to pitch in to make Second Helpings’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic possible.
Below are a few of the many stories that brightened up 2020, and kept this mission moving.
Satellite Kitchens
Once COVID-19 reached central Indiana, the growing requests from local social service agencies totaled more than 50,000 meals per week, twice our normal operating capacity. Second Helpings would not have been able to meet this growing need if it weren’t for our satellite kitchen partners.
Thank you to current and former satellite kitchens: The Alexander, Cunningham Restaurant Group: Mesh and Nesso, Newfields, Sahm’s, Side Street Catering
Volunteers that made masks for Second Helpings
When face coverings were recommended, so many volunteers and friends of Second Helpings wanted to help us stay cooking – safely. So, they sewed and donated face coverings for our staff and volunteers.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers, People for Urban Progress, students at University High School, and many more, for putting your creative talents to work to keep us all safe.
Home Delivery
This new program is the result of a community partnership with Indy Hunger Network, Gleaners, and Nine13sports to deliver food to those who are homebound, quarantining, or otherwise unable to access other food resources.
We are grateful that this collaboration has created a way to provide food to those we’ve never been able to reach before.
National Guard
For five months, the Indiana National Guard was on site six days a week – putting in over 7,000 hours – and played a crucial role in every piece of Second Helpings’ operation: managing sanitation protocols, rescuing food, preparing and delivering meals, and processing food donations.
We simply could not have kept up with the growing need for meals without the Guard.
Ekaam Youth Ambassadors
Ekam Youth Ambassadors are encouraged to volunteer in their communities with their parents to promote the spirit of helping others while working as a family.
Since we haven’t been able to accommodate group volunteers lately, this group held a fundraiser to support our programs from afar, instead! We always enjoy hosting this group, and look forward to the day we can welcome back volunteer groups safely again.
Ride to Hope
In September, friends Dave and Rich launched a creative “Ride to Hope” fundraiser for Second Helpings. They completed their 250-mile journey, arriving safely at Hope College in Holland, MI.
Second Helpings thanks Dave and Rich for using their adventure to support our shared mission to feed Indy by raising enough money to provide more than 15,000 meals – thank you!
Thank you for being part of this true community effort to #FeedIndy this year. Second Helpings’ expanded response would not have been possible without your creative generosity.
As we enter 2021, you can continue to spread hope and transform lives with a gift to Second Helpings.