Feature
Food pantry stocks get boost at Lucas Oil Stadium today11.1.11
INDIANAPOLIS STAR
The city's Front Porch Alliance announced today the launch of 2011 Pack the Pantries: A Case for Giving, an effort aimed at collecting donations for local food pantries.
The Pack the Pantries theme suggests donations come in cases for easier sorting. The city of Indianapolis in a partnership with Midwest and Gleaners food banks will distribute the donations to local food pantries.
The announcement took place this morning during the Million Meal Marathon that runs through 7 p.m. tonight at Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis.
The marathon kicked off "A Case for Giving" with over 3,000 volunteers that pre-registered to pack 1 million meals in an effort to feed 1 million people through four two-hour, assembly line shifts. Supplies for the marathon were raised through a partnership between Marsh Supermarkets and Kids Against Hunger of Central Indiana.
Estimates from Feeding America predict 33,600 people each week will be provided food assistance through Midwest and Gleaners Food Banks this year, and about 160,900 people overall will be served each year. From 2006 to 2009, emergency food needs increased 46 percent and with an 87 percent increase in the Indianapolis community alone.
Monetary donations are tax deductible and can be made by mailing a check or money order to The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee or GIPC 200 E. Washington St., Suite 2501, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Please note Pack the Pantries in the memo section.
For details on food donation drop-off sites, call the Mayor's Office of the Front Porch Alliance at (317) 327-3601.
Call Star reporter Chris Sims at (317) 444-6034.
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