The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana this December will hold its 6th annual Hope for the Holidays food distributions to provide nutrition assistance to 1,000 local families. Sponsored by NIPSCO, the distributions will be held Saturday, December 2 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) at Jean Shepherd Center in Hammond, and Saturday, December 9 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso.
“One in six of our neighbors faces hunger on a daily basis, and the holidays often amplify that struggle,” said Steve Beekman, executive director of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “These holiday food distributions provide additional, nutritious food assistance to Northwest Indiana residents in need, during a season when many of them need it most.”
With nearly 100,000 residents of Northwest Indiana identified as food insecure—meaning they don’t have regular, reliable access to nutritious food—food assistance programs are a critical piece of hunger relief in the region. Items to be distributed at the Hope for the Holidays distributions include proteins, grains, fresh and shelf-stable produce, and other nonperishable meal items.
Hope for the Holidays also provides an opportunity for the community to come together to make a positive impact and support its neighbors in need. More than 150 community and corporate volunteers will donate their time to help hand out meals at the distributions.
