Even amid struggle, there’s time for birthday songs.
Camaraderie was clear in the group of local food security organizations as they sang “Happy Birthday” to Eddy Riou, South Central Community Action Program’s executive director.
About 20 people gathered at the Monroe County Public Library Sunday to discuss current issues with food aid, problems affecting the Bloomington community and its hopes for the future.
These organizations included Hoosier Hills Food Bank, the Indiana University Student Care and Resource Center, two township trustees, South Central Community Action Program, United Way of South Central Indiana, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and People’s Cooperative Market.
The panel was hosted by Bloomington City Councilmembers Isak Asare and Courtney Daily, and Monroe County Commissioner Jody Madeira.
“Today is about understanding needs, sharing resources and identifying community led actions that make our local system stronger,” Daily said.
Panel members highlighted their common focus on providing food to the community, describing it as the first step toward solving a multitude of issues.
“Food is paramount,” United Way of South Central Indiana President and CEO Randy Rogers said. “If they go hungry, they're not going to make wise decisions across the board. So, how do we get them food so that we can start to also relieve all these other challenges?”
Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 caused more than 16,000 individuals in six counties served by Hoosier Hills Food Bank to lose benefits. SNAP provides government-issued grocery vouchers to low-income families. Yet, in conversation at the panel, organization representatives made it clear that the number of people in need hasn’t increased dramatically, but the amount of aid needed has.
“People have been going hungry for a long time now,” HHFB Executive Director Julio Alonso said. "Agencies are already stressed and don't have enough food. Taking away these benefits from people really does push it into crisis levels.”
Jada Bee, co-founder of People’s Cooperative Market, suggested the local government help fund food insecurity efforts by cutting down on the police budget and shifting the extra funds to food banks.
The City of Bloomington has responded to recent SNAP cuts by donating $46,000 to HHFB using its emergency funds.
Pantry users face a common struggle of traveling across the city to many different pantries to get the food they need.
“How do we make it so that when people come to me, they get their full market basket?” Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard CEO Megan Betz said. “They're not doing this bobbing around, spending all of their time when they have jobs where their wages are low and they have no PTO.”
Kristen Lucas, associate director of basic needs in the IU Student Care and Resource Center, highlighted students as a particularly vulnerable population in Bloomington. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education National Postsecondary Student Aid Study found 23% of undergraduates in the United States faced food insecurity. IU Dining recognizes 25% of IU students as at risk for food insecurity. Lucas suggested greater collaboration between off-campus organizations and student need.
Organizations also emphasized the amount of time spent on fundraising to remain operational. Six of the nine panel members raised their hands when an audience member asked if they spent at least 60% of their time raising money.
The panel ended with a call for community involvement, encouraging monetary donations and volunteering.
“Pick your favorite, whether it's volunteer time, donating food, donating money, do that,” Alonso said.
