By Dan Carden MERRILLVILLE — Congressman Frank J. Mrvan wants Northwest Indiana residents struggling to put food on their tables amid the federal government shutdown, and the interruption of the federal food assistance program, to know they’re not alone. The Highland Democrat declared Monday the Region is united in supporting its neighbors in need and he called on […]

By Cherrish Pryor | Indiana House Minority Floor Leader The federal government shutdown is about to enter its second month. In November, almost 600,000 Hoosiers are at risk of losing their reliable source of food if the federal government does not fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). One in every eight of those relying on SNAP […]

By Aaron Dorman MERRILLVILLE — The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana had their highest volume of mobile meal recipients to date Saturday, with nearly 800 coming out to the pantry in Merrillville, roughly 50% higher than normal. But they also had almost double the regular number of volunteers, including over a dozen from the NWI […]

By Aaron Dorman The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has had a record year for food distribution; the organization is also bracing for longer lines and increased demand. Just in time for the holiday season, roughly 600,000 Indiana residents are set to see their SNAP benefits halt on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government […]

By Alexandra Kukulka Hammond resident Leah Allen has been receiving $115 a month in SNAP benefits for a little over a year. “It’s not much, but it does help out,” Allen said, adding that she uses SNAP benefits for her groceries, particularly for fresh vegetables. Allen, 69, said she receives Social Security payments, but that covers […]

MERRILLVILLE, IN. – The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, a proud member of the Feeding America network, has been awarded a grant to receive a brand-new refrigerated truck that will boost its ability to deliver fresh, nutritious food across the region. “Through this grant in partnership with the Darden Restaurants Foundation and Penske Truck Leasing, […]

CHICAGO (WLS) — September is Hunger Action Month. According to the newly released Greater Chicagoland Hunger Report, 25% of people in the Chicago area are facing food insecurity. And 36% of households cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Food Bank […]

Written by Janie Bohlmann, regional communications manager for American Red Cross of Indiana. Through our Community Adaptation Program (CAP), the Red Cross is working to build more resilient communities and empower those living in disaster-prone areas. Our CAP team in Lake County, Indiana, is focused on increasing access to health, hunger and housing solutions and […]

By Aaron Dorman Decisions about budget cuts or freezes made in Washington continue to reverberate and impact Northwest Indiana, food assistance and agriculture organizations say. In particular, two recent decisions undercut local efforts to feed residents, they say: the ending of the Regional Food Business Center Program and the pausing of the Senior Community Service […]

By Aaron Dorman MERILLVILLE — It may not be the Goodyear Blimp, but as far as branded vehicles go, the NWI Food Bank Truck is still a welcome sight moving around the south shore. The latest addition to the Food Bank’s vehicle fleet is a refrigerated truck branded with the company’s logo and new signage […]