HUNGER is a significant issue in Bartholomew County.
Love Chapel, the largest local food pantry, each month feeds about 1,000 families. Also, the federal school lunch program helps families who would otherwise struggle to pay for meals for their children. More than 40 percent of Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
Fortunately, local individuals, companies and organizations are rising to the challenge to meet this need.
Elizabeth Kestler, executive director of Love Chapel, recently said enough food in the county is available to meet the hunger needs of low-income families and individuals locally. That’s a tribute to people who have been generous with their time and money. About three-fourths of Love Chapel’s food and monetary donations come from local sources.
Fundraisers, food drives and donations have made it possible for the pantry to meet the hunger need. For example:
The annual CANstruction event, which takes canned goods and arranges them in creative displays, generates about 30,000 canned items to distribute to three local food banks, including Love Chapel.
Corporate food drives by local companies have resulted in substantial donations.
Local farmers have been generous in donating fresh produce.
Kudos to those who have focused on this issue and worked hard to make sure people don’t go hungry. That speaks well of the community and demonstrates care for fellow residents who need a helping hand.
Send comments to [email protected].
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Love Chapel
Address: 311 Center St., Columbus
Phone: 812-372-9421
Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays to Saturdays
Online: columbuslovechapel.com
Salvation Army
Address: 2525 Illinois St., Columbus
Phone: 812-372-7118
Online: corps.salvationarmyindiana.org/columbus/
Pantry hours: 10 a.m. to noon Mondays; 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month.
Community Center of Hope
Address: 543 Washington St., Hope
Phone: 812-546-4499
Online: communitycenterofhope.org
Pantry hours: 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.
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