How to help your neighbors get by this summer and beyond
Walkiria Castillo and her husband, Antonio, are raising four young daughters, living solely on the income from Antonio’s restaurant job. Walkiria used to work, but the cost of childcare just became too much for the family to cover.
As the rush of summer continues, it's easy to forget that more than 75,000 people in the 16 counties Food Finders serves are facing hunger. This summer there are some easy ways for our community to continue to help our neighbors, so they know there are resources available.

1. Help spread the word about the various programs that exist.
One of the biggest reasons our neighbors might not seek out help is because they don't know it exists. This is especially true during the summer when kids are out of school.
So let's change that.

  • Share social media posts from Food Finders personally and with neighborhood pages and groups.
  • Encourage groups, clubs, or teams you are a part of to share about the various programs available.
  • Talk to others in your community about Food Finders resources.
  • Learn more about any programs you may have been unaware of before. Education classes, Mobile Pantries, Agency Partner Pantries, Backpack Program, Food Finders Fresh Market, Resource Coordination, SNAP Outreach, and the Senior Delivery Program are all programs we provide!
2. Remind your friends, family, and neighbors that it's okay to need help.
Whether it’s on social media or in person, let the people in your life know that you don’t judge them for needing help. Everyone needs a little help sometimes, especially these days, and there are plenty of resources available.

Sometimes, you don’t even need to ask if someone is struggling. Just check in with your friends and family to see how they’ve been and what might help them de-stress. Reminding people that you’re happy to help can go a long way and allow people to open up. Asking your loved ones what kind of help they need rather than making an assumption helps them feel empowered. Maybe the most helpful thing you can do is to give them a ride to visit a nearby food bank or mobile pantry.
3. Volunteer at Food Finders
Summer is a challenging time for Food Finders as many of our volunteers are traveling or out of the area for the season.

From stocking shelves, sorting food, or greeting neighbors there are many different ways to volunteer at Food Finders. Bring yourself, your family, or a team or group!

The Food Resource & Education Center welcomes volunteers 13 and over who are invited to sign up and at the Fresh Market volunteers 14 and over can sign up! (All volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guardian.)

Click the image to sign up for a shift!

4. Donate to Food Finders
It takes a lot of coordination and resources to serve 16 counties. Food Finders Food Bank is dedicated to ensuring as many neighbors as possible have access to food but we need your help. Food prices increased over 11 percent in May 2022, the largest 12-month advance since November 1980. While Food Finders is not immune to the challenge of rising prices and inflation, we are still here for our neighbors facing hunger.
Make a donation to help support your neighbor today.
Job Readiness Certificate Graduates
This joint partnership through Ivy Tech Community College-Lafayette and Food Finders offers attendees a chance to earn a job readiness certificate. Participants create resumes and cover letters, learn to navigate online job applications, attend mock interviews, and take skills assessments. We are so proud of the graduates of both sessions and look forward to offering more sessions in the future!
GreatNonprofits Review
If you love our work then tell the world! Stories about us from people like you will help us make an even bigger impact in our community. GreatNonprofits – the #1 source of nonprofit stories and feedback – is honoring highly regarded nonprofits with their 2022 Top-Rated List. Won’t you help us raise visibility for our work by posting a brief story of your experience with us? All content will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. It’s easy and only takes 3 minutes! Go here to get started!
Upcoming Events Supporting Food Finders
Get Ready, Get Set, and Mark your Calendars for September 18 to join Hunger Hike 2022.

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