More families are experiencing food insecurity over the past few months as inflation rises and the U.S. braces for a potential recession.
According to the Indy Hunger Network, there are around 200 food pantries in Marion County, and around 40 reside on the south side — including areas of Beech Grove, Franklin Township, Southport, Perry Township and Decatur Township.
Mirror Indy compiled a map of southside food pantries that includes information about operating hours, residence restrictions and identification needed in order to receive groceries.
Some advocates say the demand has been overwhelming. At Southeast Community Services on Shelby Street, for instance, it’s been hard to find enough people and space to prepare the produce to be passed out.
Executive Director Peggy Frame said their pantry can serve 75 people a week. But roughly 600 were enrolled in the pantry by the end of 2023, and now enrollment has skyrocketed to over 2,000.
Southeast Community Services is working to serve up to 90 orders a week. Additionally, the organization provides 2,000 pounds of free produce on Wednesdays, which community members don’t have to register for in advance.
“It’s really a matter of capacity of the number of people to get it ready to give out,” Frame said. “Also storage space — we only have a limited amount of space, so that limits the quantity of produce we can get.”
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on Facebook at Elizabeth Gabriel, Southside Reporter and on X at @_elizabethgabs.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
