skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans weigh using the power of Congress to rein in Trump on tariffs; Stocks tumble again after China fires back in trade war; Mississippi urged to invest in jobs, not jails, to cut prison costs; Studies highlight gut health benefits of plant-forward diets in MI.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The administration stands behind its tariffs, despite declines in markets. Advocates nationwide push back against federal rollbacks affecting military families, and the environment and big budget plans advance in Congress.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The proposed dismantling of the Depart. of Education has rural schools scared, postal carriers say USPS changes will hurt rural communities most, fiber networks to improve internet may be supplanted by Musk's satellites, and it's time to PLAY BALL!

Indiana Food Banks Shift Gears to Keep Pace with Pandemic

play audio
Play

Thursday, August 20, 2020   

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana's hunger-fighting network continues to shift gears to keep pace with the evolving challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure the safety of clients and volunteers, some food banks and pantries are distributing food through a drive-through; others are offering curbside pick-up.

Katy Bunder, president and CEO for Food Finders Food Bank in Lafayette, said they're moving their community pantry into a larger leased space - a 19,000 square-foot grocery store - in order to allow for adequate social distancing.

"Instead of leaving people standing outside waiting to get into the food pantry, we'll be able to operate like a grocery store where we count the number of people going in," Bunder explained. "And we put tape and signs telling people to social distance. And of course we'll require masks. It should be a game changer for us."

With fewer volunteers available, some state agencies and the Indiana National Guard have stepped in to help serve meals.

Food banks are incurring increased costs for personal protective equipment, logistics and staffing.

COVID-19 has also increased the need for food donations.

Victor Garcia, CEO for Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, said they're grateful for state and federal assistance programs that are providing healthy, fresh foods. However, he said perishable foods create new storage challenges.

"We fortunately have a fairly large cooler/freezer space sitting at around 4,000 square feet, but we are finding ourselves with capacity issues," Garcia said. "We were able to source a refrigerated trailer, but even with that, we are still having to turn away donated perishable products occasionally."

Garcia said they've also enhanced a lot of their programming, including mobile market distributions and Pantry Pack home-delivery meals.

"Volunteers take boxes of groceries to seniors who may not have transportation or may be immunocompromised," Garcia said. "We also launched Pantry Pack Head Start, so working with the local Head Start program in identifying some families at high risk for food insecurity and using volunteers to deliver those to the homes."

While facing the challenges at hand, Bunder noted food banks are preparing for what's ahead.

"The last recession in 2008 was with us for a long time," Bunder said. "And if you're low-income when a crisis happens, it takes a really long time to get out of that situation. And so, I think low-income people will be impacted for years to come."

It's estimated food insecurity will rise by 40% among Indiana residents this year.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
In addition to gut health benefits, many researchers say reducing meat consumption and increasing plant-based foods can help lower greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water and reduce the environmental footprint of food production. (NDABCREATIVITY/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…


Social Issues

play sound

As Mississippi grapples with one of the nation's highest incarceration rates, a new national campaign highlights the economic and social toll of …

Social Issues

play sound

Nearly 22,000 Florida college students could lose critical tuition help under a state House budget proposal. The plan would cut $3,500 annual grants …


Marches, rallies and protests will take place at state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices and city centers. (Hands Off!)

Social Issues

play sound

Pro-worker and pro-democracy organizers and activists in Nevada are coming together to oppose some of the policies of President Donald Trump…

Environment

play sound

Minnesota bird enthusiasts should keep their binoculars handy. April is a good month to spot various species migrating back to the region. Experts …

The U.S. Senate voted 52-48 to end the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's overdraft-fee protection regulation. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

As President Donald Trump dismantles the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, advocates of the agency warn that veterans and military service …

Social Issues

play sound

Arizona lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent cryptocurrency scams and regulate what are known as "crypto kiosks." Brendon Blake, AARP …

Social Issues

play sound

UPDATE: A statement about the arrest from the University of Cincinnati has been added. (8:10 a.m. MDT, Apr. 3, 2025) A recent arrest on the …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021