Pre-packaged snacks are among the food that will be given away to children this summer through meal assistance programs offered by local schools, churches and charitable organizations. Families who struggle with food scarcity often struggle even more in the summer months, when children are home from school.
File photo
HANCOCK COUNTY — The end of the school year is a reason to celebrate for many students, but for some it’s a reason to wonder where they’ll get their next meal.
Local schools often help fill the gap for families who struggle to put enough food on the table, especially in the summer months when kids are unable to grab a meal at school.
“Summer food resources help fill the gap for many families,” said Terry Miller, a social worker at Weston Elementary School in Greenfield who helps distribute a list of local summer food resources for families near the end of each school year.
Schools have become a dependable free food source over the past two years — regardless of household income —since a federal mandate made breakfast and lunch free for all public school students on school days to help ease financial hardship brought on by the COVID pandemic.
After COVID abruptly shut down schools in March 2020, school staff scrambled to find ways to keep kids fed — offering free food in drive-up lines throughout Hancock County and other parts of the U.S.
Now that the National School Lunch Program’s free meals for all concept — and the school year — is coming to an end, some families will be looking to other resources to make ends meet.
“With school being out for the summer, many families will struggle to feed their children. This is where the school-based program, as well as the other services available, come in handy,” said Miller. “Families can still feed their children and not have to worry about increased grocery costs.”
The Greenfield-Central Schools are once again providing meals at a number of locations, including three different schools and the concession stand at the city pool.
The meals are free to children 18 and younger, as well as those over 18 who are enrolled in an approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. All meals must be consumed on-site.
Both breakfast and lunch are available at Greenfield-Central’s high school, junior high school and intermediate school weekdays from May 31 through July 22 (except for July 4) with breakfast and lunch served at varying hours at each school. Lunch will also be available at the Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center’s concession stand weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Meals will also be provided to participants in the Greenfield Parks Department Kids Kamp as well as Boys and Girls Club of Hancock County.
Mt. Vernon Consolidated Schools are not participating in the summer food service program this year but are referring families to a number of local resources for assistance, including local food pantries and the No Kid Hungry program.
The Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen serves free food at both lunch and dinner weekdays, and provides weekend sack lunches as well.
Families can access food through the Hancock County Food Pantry in Greenfield twice a month, or through the Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry at Fortville Christian Church one Saturday per month.
Baby formula, baby food and diapers can be acquired through the Life Choices Care Center in Greenfield.
Meals on Wheels of Hancock County also provides one hot and one cold meal to recipients at lunchtime, Mondays through Fridays, with no age or income restrictions.
A number of church ministries throughout the county are also in place to serve those in need, including programs at McCordsville United Methodist Church, which staffs a pantry on Wednesdays and hosts a community dinner and community breakfast once a month.
Other churches cover food scarcity needs in others corners of the county, including Vineyard Community Church at Mt. Comfort, Cumberland First Baptist Church in Cumberland and Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in New Palestine.
Fortville Christian Church serves as the home base for the Fortville Area Resource Mission, a collaboration of churches known as FARM.
Non-perishable food items are also available at Blessing Boxes located throughout the county, which are accessible 24/7. The community is encouraged to restock the boxes, which remain unlocked at all times.
Summer Meals for Kids (available to all children 18 years and younger) — Free
*Meals are also available to persons over 18 years who are enrolled in an approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. All meals must be consumed onsite.
Greenfield-Central High School
810 N. Broadway St.
Door #14 — West side of building
May 31-July 22 — weekdays only, closed July 4
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Greenfield-Central Junior High School
1440 N. Franklin St.
Door #11 – West side of the building in the bus parking lot
May 31-July 22 — weekdays only, closed July 4
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-noon
Greenfield Intermediate School
204 W. Park Ave. — Door #3 — South side of building
May 31-July 22 — weekdays only, closed July 4
Breakfast: 8-9 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center Concession Stand
300 Apple St., Greenfield
May 31-July 22 – Weekdays only, closed July 4
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen
202 E. Main St. Greenfield
Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m -1 p.m., 5-7 p.m.
Open to all at no cost, free will offerings accepted
Weekend sack lunches are available for pick-up on Fridays, sign-up Monday-Thursday
317-462-9900
kbmsk.org
Hancock County Food Pantry
741½ S. State St., Greenfield
Monday — 1-2:30 p.m., 5:30-6:30pm
Tuesday — 9-10:30 a.m., 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday — 7-8 p.m.
Thursday — 7-8 p.m.
May be accessed twice per month. Must show proof of Hancock County residency and meet income guidelines shown on website.
317-468-0273
hancockcountyfoodpantry.com
Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry
No proof of residency or income is required. Must be 18+.
Participants must provide their own bags, boxes, carts, or wagons.
Fortville Christian Church
9450 N. 200 W., Fortville
10 a.m.-12 p.m. (or until food is gone)
May 28, June 25, July 23, August 27, Sept. 24
Life Choices Care Center
1454 N. State St., Greenfield
Baby formula, baby food, diapers
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday — 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
317-467-9700
lifechoicescarecenter.org
Blessing Boxes
These are locations where individuals can get several items of non-perishable food items from a cabinet, free of charge. It is designed as a short-term solution for those who temporarily have unmet needs. All are available 24/7.
Greenfield locations:
Greenfield Police Department lobby, 116 S. State St.
Riley Park, Apple and Main streets (near the tennis courts)
Greenfield Elks Lodge, 820 S. State St.
Corner of Pennsylvania and South St.
Church at the corner of Franklin Street and Davis Road
New Palestine location:
35 E. Main St. — backside of a building across from the town hall and police department
The David Nolen Pantry of Hope
11850 Brookville Road, Indianapolis
hopecenterindy.org/community
Thursdays, 5-7 p.m.
317-752-1500
Connect2Help 2-1-1
2-1-1 is an information and referral line that connects people to vital social services, such as food, clothing, shelter, counseling, etc. When a person calls 2-1-1, specially-trained information and referral personnel assess what services are needed and provide the appropriate resource and related information. Free and confidential. Available 24/7. Dial 2-1-1 on your phone or visit Indiana 211.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Provides food assistance to low and no-income people and families living in the United States so they may buy the nutritious food needed for good health.
Contact Hancock County Division of Family Resources
1290 N. State St. Suite A, Greenfield
800-403-0864
in.gov/fssa/dfr/3166.htm
Meals on Wheels of Hancock County
Delivers one hot and one cold meal at lunchtime weekdays. Weekend meals available.
No age or income restriction. An application, $10 to apply, and a prescription from a doctor to
specify nutrition needs are required.
Cost is based on income. Participants must live in Hancock County.
317-477-4345
Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA)
CICOA delivers freshly prepared, frozen, wholesome meals every two weeks to residents of Marion and the surrounding counties, Monday through Friday.
Suggested contribution is $3 per meal.
To be eligible individuals primarily should be confined to their home due to physical or mental health reasons, unable to prepare their own meals and meet one of the following eligibility criteria: at least 60 years of age; the spouse of someone at least 60 years of age; or under the age of 60 with a disability and receiving services through CHOICE, SSBG, or Medicaid Waiver.
317-803-6131
Church Ministries:
Angel Connection
McCordsville United Methodist Church
6247 W. Broadway, McCordsville
317-335-3705
Food pantry open Wednesdays from 9-10 a.m.
Community Dinner – 2nd Saturday of each month (January – August), 4:30-7 p.m.
Community Breakfast – 3rd Saturday of each month (January – October), 7:30-10 a.m.
Community Outreach Ministry Eastside (COME)
Cumberland First Baptist Church, 116 S. Muessing St., Indianapolis
Serves residents of Buck Creek and Sugar Creek Townships (Hancock County)
and Warren Township (Marion County)
317-894-2645
Pantry is open Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m.
FARM — Fortville Area Resource Mission
Fortville Christian Church
9450 N. County Road 200W, Fortville
317-203-9606
Tuesdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.)
Third Tuesdays each month from 6-7 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
fortvillearearesourcemission.org
Groceries of Grace and Grace Garden
Cross of Grace Lutheran Church
3519 S. 600 W., New Palestine
Food pantry offering fresh food and non-perishable food items to individuals and families.
Call church office between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays to schedule an appointment
317-861-0977
crossofgrace.org
Vineyard Community Church at Mt. Comfort
1672 North 600 West, Greenfield
This is currently a mobile pantry where bags are pre-packaged. Participants are encouraged to stay in their vehicles and not come any earlier than 10-15 minutes before start time. New guests will be asked to fill out an information sheet.
First Wednesday of each month — 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Third Sunday of each month — 1-3 p.m. (June’s date has been changed to June 12)
317-894-3280
Wellspring Food Pantry @ Brandywine Church
Brandywine Community Church
1551 E. New Road, Greenfield
Mondays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesdays noon-7 p.m.
Thursdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Delivery can be made for anyone in a high risk or immunocompromised category if in the Greenfield area.
317-462-2015
wellspringind.org
Love INC of Greater Hancock County
Following a brief intake, Love INC may be able to refer families to churches with food pantries, household items and/or cleaning products ministry.
Office hours are 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays. Voice mail messages may be left at any time.
No Kid Hungry
Text “food” or “comida” to 304-304
U.S. Department of Agriculture — Summer Meal Program
Text “Summer Meals” or “Verano” to 914-342-7744
