Earlier this month, Second Helpings delivered the 15,000,000th meal of our 22-year mission to #FeedIndy.
Based on previous years’ operations and initial predictions for 2020, Second Helpings reached this milestone nearly a year earlier than originally expected. This quickened pace to produce more meals is in response to the growing need for food in central Indiana, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact.
“This milestone represents a true team effort,” says CEO Jennifer Vigran. “The growing number of meals Second Helpings has delivered this year would not have been possible without our dedicated volunteers, the added capacity from the Indiana National Guard, and our partnership with satellite kitchens.”
Fletcher Place provides Second Helpings meals every day and operates a food pantry four days a week, serving 2,000 people a year in need on the near south side of Indianapolis.
The 15 millionth meal was delivered to Fletcher Place Community Center, who has been a partner agency of Second Helpings since 2013. Fletcher Place provides Second Helpings meals every day and operates a food pantry four days a week, serving 2,000 people in need on the near south side of Indianapolis every year.
“Most of the volunteers who provide meals to our kitchen are retired, so when COVID-19 hit, they were no longer comfortable volunteering,” says Fletcher Place Community Center Executive Director Melissa Drew. “I don’t know how we could’ve continued to serve the hundreds of families who depend on us without Second Helpings.”
Second Helpings is only able to produce so many more meals because of its new satellite kitchen partnership. Currently, three partners, Cunningham Restaurant Group, Sahm’s, and Side Street Catering, prepare meals under specific nutritional guidelines and deliver them to organizations identified by Second Helpings.
Since mid-March, Second Helpings and satellite kitchens have prepared over one million nutritious meals, provided to more than 100 social service agencies across central Indiana.
This surge in meal preparation was supported in large part by the Indiana National Guard, who served at Second Helpings from April to September.
As we all prepare for colder months, Second Helpings continues to work with schools and community organizations to make sure children and families are receiving the food they need this winter – and that all are prepared in the event more schools move to remote learning.
“Second Helpings and our partner agencies have faced incredible challenges this year,” says Senior Director of Programs Nora Spitznogle. “But we have collaborated to find solutions to meet this growing need – and nourish our neighbors together.”