 History
It was in May 1993 when the Hunger Education Task Force of the United Religious
Community of St. Joseph County accepted the challenge of re-establishing food
banking services in North Central Indiana. In July 1993, an organizing meeting
brought together the first volunteer Board of Directors. The Board then agreed
that the North Central Indiana Food Bank would be the entity of record created
to address local problems of hunger and malnutrition by providing quality food
to participating social service agencies.
We began operations as an SDO
(Subsidiary Distribution Organization) of Gleaners Food Bank of Indianapolis. As
our member agencies and donor base grew, we became self sufficient and large
enough to be considered for national certification. In February 1996, we became
a Certified Food Bank of the Second Harvest National Food Bank Network. As a
member of Second Harvest, we receive offerings of donated product, which is
allocated based on the poverty population within our six county service area.
Our first distribution, of 6,800 lbs, was made from Hanson Cold Storage in
December 1993 with 29 participating agencies. In July 2000, we purchased an
82,000-square-foot facility on Chapin Street to ensure adequate storage to meet
the rising demand for food in Northern Indiana.
 Much of our success is due to the support received from
the United Religious Community of St. Joseph County, the Elkhart County
Community Foundation, REAL Services, Inc., the St. Joseph County Community
Foundation, the United Way of Kosciusko County, the Kosciusko County Community
Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, Share Our Strength, the Fields Foundation, the
Muessel-Ellison Foundation, the Florence Carroll Foundation and the Unity
Foundation of LaPorte County. Grants from Real Services, Inc., allowed the Food
Bank to purchase a 22' straight truck, a new computer system, and various
equipment items. Financial support has also been received from individuals and
organizations in our community that share our concern for feeding the hungry. A
large debt of gratitude is also due the caring individuals who have contributed
thousands of hours as volunteers. |
