By Constance Harcourt
Thanksgiving and copious amounts of food go hand-in-hand. However, for some people, affording food is a daily struggle. It can break a bank account to prepare a colossal feast for family and friends.
Local food banks are lending a hand to those in need by hosting food donations.
MUNCIE MISSION
Muncie Mission Ministries’ primary task is taking care of people and families in need. Each year, the organization prepares and serves 150 Thanksgiving meals for residents and guests throughout Delaware County.
Approximately 100 volunteers help prepare and serve meals. Although Muncie Mission is at full volunteer capacity, it is looking for more edible items. Its most needed food items are 20-pound turkeys, homemade pumpkin pies, fresh bananas, apples and oranges.
SECOND HARVEST
Second Harvest Food Bank focuses more on daily food items rather than a particular meal. Instead of serving the meals, Second Harvest prefers ready-to-cook forms.
“It’s more than focusing on a specific meal, we try to provide supplemental items that families will find useful every day of the week,” said Tim Kean, president and CEO of Second Harvest in East Central Indiana. “Our normal approach is to acquire food from all over the region to redistribute to agencies who are giving to people. We have a major emphasis on fresh produce and providing more protein in the hands of people who are struggling in the need of food security.”
Thanksgiving is the peak of the year for Second Harvest. Last year, there were nearly 13,000 volunteer hours. This year, the hours are going to increase.
“It takes thousands and thousands of hours to make this happen with the work we produce,” Kean said.
Second Harvest is always looking for more volunteers. Whether it is donating time in the warehouse, distributing food to clients or working in the office, an extra pair of hands is always needed.
Kean said Second Harvest is not expecting a shortage of food this Thanksgiving, but inventory changes daily. Canned fruit and vegetables, dry pasta, cereal and beans are just a few components Kean suggests for food donations.
“These are things that people can make a meal out of any day of the week,” Kean said.
A BETTER WAY
“Our mission is to bring peace into homes, strength to families and bring a positive impact on the community,” said Teresa Clemmons, executive director of A Better Way.
Each year, A Better Way serves a turkey dinner to all of its clients, residents and support groups. A Better Way is a local institution that gives shelter and aid to women and children in need. Although it is not having any current issues on food shortage, donations are always welcomed.
“We don’t have a shortage, but we don’t have a surplus either,” Clemmons said. “We just need enough to make sure we can do what we need to do.”
A Better Way allocates around 35 to 40 volunteers, but there is always room for more. Students are strongly encouraged to assist in after-school programs for children at risk. Internships, work-study jobs, cleanup volunteer jobs and fundraisers are also offered.
GIVING BACK
Students who are interested in becoming more involved may checkout Ball State’s Student Voluntary Services. This program helps engage students in assisting others in the community and around campus.
Angelina Zulas, SVS president, advocates student leadership and volunteering.
“Right now, this is the time when the semester gets pretty hectic, and everyone is becoming stressed and overwhelmed,“ she said. “Volunteering is a good way to get away from campus and put your mind in a different place.”
Zulas said while volunteering is helpful for others, it can be a self-help job, too.
“Volunteering is proactive,” she said. “It is something that not only benefits the community of Muncie, but yourself as well.”
