Local food bank hits milestone in food distribution after 31 years

As of June 30, Hoosier Hills Food Bank has distributed more than 10-percent more food than last year — a total of 1,769,732 pounds compared to 1,624,261 in the first half of 2012, according to a press release issued last week.

The agency hit another important milestone on July 11. The food bank, which was founded in 1982, distributed its 40-millionth pound of food.

In a disbursement of 208 pounds of assorted canned goods and bottled water to Positive Link, a program by IU Health Bloomington that provides HIV prevention services and support services for people who are HIV positive and their families, HHFB counted its 40-millionth pound.

“We always have mixed feelings when reporting a new high point,” HHFB Executive Director Julio Alonso said. “While it’s disheartening to know how much need is out there, it’s very encouraging to know there is community support to make food available to meet it. I’m proud to live in a community that cares about ensuring that people in need have access to food.

“We started a countdown on July 1 when we were just under 90,000 pounds away from this milestone. With the holiday closings, we’ve been open for distribution for seven days and averaged over six tons of food each of those days, which is consistent with our daily average for the past several years. Over 50 agencies in seven counties have received food since July 1 and we’re pleased that one of our smaller partners here in Bloomington received that 40-millionth pound.”

HHFB’s biggest partners are food pantries and soup kitchens, but they also support shelters and programs that target at-risk populations like children, seniors and people who are ill.

While the majority of the distribution for HHFB takes place in Monroe County, they help support a regional network that empowers other agencies to feed those in need in their own communities.

HHFB is a linchpin that connects food donors with a network of agencies working to solve a myriad of social problems.

“Most of our partners focus on making sure people have enough food to eat right now, but many also have food as one component of larger efforts to provide youth services, nutrition education, self-sufficiency, safety from domestic violence, housing and health care,” Alonso said.

Positive Link Care Coordinator Amy Hays noted the importance of food to the clients she helps.

“Delivering food to clients throughout the region is such a gratifying experience for me,” Hays said. “The relief that it gives clients, knowing they will have enough to eat, is a great thing to be a part of. Plus, the staff at HHFB are always helpful and fun to work with.”

Alonso explains the significance of the HHFB distributing its 40-millionth pound of food.

“You have to look at it in context, of course,” Alonso said. “There are food banks like Greater Boston that do 40 million pounds in a single year. But for our size, and our service area, hitting the 40-million mark is pretty significant. This milestone was 31 years in the making, but at our current rate and even assuming no growth at all, we’ll match it in just 12 years. Distribution is up 10 percent so far this year and if Congress ever manages to pass a farm bill it is likely to include cuts to nutrition programs that are going to push more people to food pantries. Unfortunately, I don’t expect the need for what we do to diminish anytime soon.”

Hoosier Hills Food Bank collects and distributes more than 3.2 million pounds of food annually to nearly 100 nonprofit agencies in Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin and Monroe counties. Some services are also provided in Crawford and Greene counties.

To donate or for additional information visit the HHFB’s website at www.hhfoodbank.org.

— Samantha Felix