Feeding a need: Hancock County Food Pantry distributes more than 1 million pounds of food a year

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New Palestine High School students volunteer to stock shelves at the Hancock County Food Pantry, 741 1/2 S. State St., Greenfield.

Photo submitted

Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter is partnering with the Hancock County Community Foundation to highlight local nonprofit organizations in the community, what they offer and how they could enhance their services through additional funding from Match Day.

Featured Match Day participant: Hancock County Food Pantry

Executive director: Bob Hamilton

Mission: To be a source of food to the residents of Hancock County struggling with hunger or food security.

The Hancock County Food Pantry is 100% volunteer operated and entirely dependent on grants and donations from churches, businesses and individuals. Photo submitted

Community offerings: The pantry secures food and non-food essentials (toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent and more) through purchases and donations. It serves residents of Hancock County who meet government minimum income guidelines during six weekly open hours. In 2021, the HCFP had 4,800 client visits from more than 1,000 separate households from Hancock County and distributed more than 1 million pounds of food. There were 279 clients that visited the HCFP for the first time in 2021, suggesting that food security remains an issue in Hancock County. The HCFP continues to offer mobile food pantries in collaboration with Gleaner’s, and has helped influence and contribute to other food security missions in the county.

Match Day funding plans: Today, we are thinking of re-investing the proportional grant dollars back into our endowment fund to help it grow even faster. However, we currently rent our location, and if an opportunity arises between now and Match Day payout, we could use that money to help support the purchase or new lease of a permanent facility within the Greenfield area.