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 Lions Club and students from Indiana University Northwest just up Broadway, who were there for the first time.
“We reached out to the food bank and they were happy to have us (come volunteer),” said IUN senior Alyssa Molina. “It’s really unfortunate SNAP benefits are cut off and people are struggling.”
Another IUN senior, Bani Galindo, noted she was shocked by how long the line was during Saturday’s mobile delivery drive.
“I wasn’t expecting that many people, coming here to feed their families,” Galindo said. “The line of cars went so, so far down Broadway.”
SNAP benefits are paused as of Nov. 1, as a result of the government shutdown and a refusal of the USDA to release emergency funding for food programs. Despite a federal court ruling Friday ordering the dispersal of SNAP funds during the shutdown, there remains uncertainty about what families will receive and when.
Volunteer Lynn Rozwalka described heightened emotions, both high and low, at Saturday morning’s food delivery, with some newly dependent on food stamps feeling forced into it and stressed or upset, while others showed immense gratitude towards the food bank’s efforts.
“It was busy, and we were expecting it to be,” said mobile market coordinator JD Jenkins, noting that food pick-ups actually increased a little over a week ago, as people anticipated losing access to benefits. “About half of the cars (recipients) mentioned the SNAP issue; every other driver was like, ‘Hey, what about the benefits?’ We tell them we’re finding out what’s going on at the same time they find out.”
Jenkins noted that the holiday season is usually the food pantry’s busiest quarter anyway, and so they always need to prepare in advance for this time of year.
“We do know this year is going to be a little different,” he said. “Hopefully, we continue to get donations coming in, the average Joe brings in a box of produce or canned food. We’re getting more small donations, and that’s a great thing. We gotta take care of each other the best we can.”
Covering the SNAP gap in Valparaiso
When Carmen Vincent, executive director of Project Neighbors, heard about the impending SNAP pause, she knew she wanted to do something.
“I think people don’t necessarily want to ask for help,” Vincent said. “There is a lot of need for people to be independent, not express that you need anything. But we knew our residents use the SNAP program and would need help this month.”
Project Neighbors, which builds and manages affordable rental housing, is responsible for roughly 50 units and 140 individuals in the Valparaiso area, Vincent said.
“This is the core of our community,” she said. “Nurses, teachers, seniors, veterans. Different folks from different backgrounds.”
This week, Project Neighbors rolled out a crowdfunding campaign to get its residents grocery store gift cards, at some compensation commensurable with what they would have received from SNAP.
Vincent said she was “blown away” by the community response, which covered the gift card costs in 24 hours. Project Neighbors actually raised over $1,000 more than they expected, which they are now saving for a “rainy day” or if the SNAP pause continues into December.
“It won’t cover their entire grocery bill,” Vincent said, “but I think it will make a difference and provide peace of mind. It’s nice to know people are supportive and want neighbors to be nourished.”
Elsewhere in the area, residents Abbie and Zach Nondorf organized a “Valpo SNAP gap” food drive last week, distributing food boxes through Hilltop Neighborhood House.
The Nondorfs and a third volunteer have been picking up donated items in a kind of “reverse DoorDash” operation, going around the community and then dropping off carfuls of donated goods at Hilltop House. The Nondorfs said they and a third volunteer have picked up roughly 80 donations over the course of several days.
That’s on top of anything that’s been donated to Hilltop House directly.
“I feel like there are better solutions, like state support, over just community donations,” Abbie Nondorf said, “but I am encouraged by how much people want to help out.”
The Hilltop pantry was also offering free 3-pound bags of Gala apples yesterday for anyone, children or adults, looking to grab a healthy “treat” for Halloween.
For the time being, individual communities will have to continuously provide for people who are indefinitely missing government assistance, Vincent said.
“Unfortunately, the world of affordable housing can be taboo in a wealthier community like Valpo,” Vincent said. “I want people to know that most of us are one or two awful events from being in poverty or homeless. It doesn’t take much, and there’s no shame in struggling. I hope people have grace and compassion during this time.”
The NWI Food Bank is located at 6490 Broadway in Merrillville. Readers interested in volunteering can go to foodbanknwi.org/volunteer/.