COLUMBUS, Ind. -With food pantries across Bartholomew County reporting a sharp rise in requests for help, participating in the Community Food Drive is a way for residents to get involved and support their neighbors facing hunger.
United Way of Bartholomew County and the Bartholomew County Food Insecurity Coalition are coordinating the effort as local hunger relief organizations report a growing number of families in need. One in five children in the county lives in poverty, according to local census data.
“Food insecurity continues to grow in our community,” said Alicia Monroe, Director of the Volunteer Action Center at United Way of Bartholomew County. “This food drive will help local food pantries meet the increased demand they are seeing right now.”
All food and monetary donations will support Love Chapel, the Salvation Army, and the Community Center of Hope. Monetary donations are especially valuable, allowing food pantries to harness food bank partnerships to get food at a discounted rate.
Food donations can be dropped off at United Way of Bartholomew County, 1304 Hutchins Ave., in Columbus, throughout June. Monetary donations can be made online.
For more information and donation options, visit giving.classy.org/campaign/693095/donate or go to www.uwbarthco.org and click “Community Food Drive.”
