Here's where to get free food in Indianapolis

More than 500,000 Hoosiers are in limbo as food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, face uncertainty at the federal level.

The program, which sends payments out to low-income Americans every month is now halted as funds ran out — a consequence of the ongoing government shutdown. 

On Monday, court filings indicated the Trump Administration would resume "partial" payments to SNAP members after two federal judges ruled that pausing the payments was unconstitutional. 

But how much those partial payments would be for, or when people could expect them in their accounts, remained unclear. 

In Indiana, just over 571,000 people utilized the SNAP program in the month of September, with the average enrollee receiving $195.

Find free food near you

The Community Compass web and mobile app lets users search for free groceries and meals, stores where SNAP is accepted and other resources for WIC benefits, the federal program that provides nutritional support to low-income pregnant women.

Food distribution events

In response to the uncertainty around SNAP, Indianapolis officials have stepped in to try and offer a short-term stopgap.

The city announced a number of special food distribution events over the coming month in an effort to support the estimated 100,000 Marion County residents who utilize the program. 

Free groceries, meals, and resources at pop-up sites organized by the Office of Public Health and Safety:

• Nov. 8, Fountain Square Church of Christ, 1041 Spruce St., 12 to 2 p.m. 
• Nov. 15, Charity Cares, 959 N. Holmes Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• Nov. 15, Eclectic Souls VOICES Corp., 9501 E. 36th Pl., 12 to 3 p.m. 
• Nov. 19, Rock of the World, Salt of the Earth, 8833 Bel Air Drive., 8:30 a.m.
• Nov. 20, Oasis Of Hope Baptist Church, 1825 E. 25th St., 4 to 6 p.m. 
• Nov. 21, Eclectic Souls VOICES Corp.. 9501 E. 36th Place, 12-3 p.m.
• Nov. 24, Lawrence Park, 5301 N. Franklin Drive, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Nov. 25, Breeding Tabernacle CME, 3670 N. Leland Ave., 12 to 2:30 p.m.
• Nov. 26, Stanley Strader, 2850 Bethel Ave., 3 to 5 p.m.

Existing food assistance programs in Indianapolis

Beyond the emergency resources, several websites and food assistance programs already exist within the city, including free meals program offered by Indy Parks. A full schedule is here.

Indy Parks Free Meals Program

Indy Parks food pantries:

• Riverside Park Food Pantry — Wednesdays, 12:45-3 p.m.
• Windsor Village Park Food Pantry — Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. (proof of Marion County residency required) 

After-school meal services. Free and open to all youth 18 and under; youth must be present and eat on-site. Monday-Friday; no registration needed.

• Rhodius Park (1720 W. Wilkins St.): Tue-Fri, 4-5 p.m.
• Windsor Village Park (6510 E. 25th St.): Mon-Fri, 5-6 p.m.
• Mobile youth sites (Mon-Thu):
• East 38th St Library (5420 E 38th St): 3-3:20 p.m.
• Brightwood Library (2434 N Sherman Dr): 3:50-4:10 p.m.
• Haughville Library (2121 W Michigan St): 5-5:20 p.m. 

Drive & Dish (weekly grocery pickup)

Drive & Dish offers free, customizable groceries that residents can order online after registering at a participating park’s family center. Limited slots each week with Washington Park and Frederick Douglass Park already at capacity.

Participating parks & pickup times:

• Stanley Strader Park — Fri, 1-3 p.m. (2850 Bethel Ave; 317-327-7480)
• Thatcher Park — Fri, 1-3 p.m. (4649 W Vermont St; 317-327-7390)
• Municipal Gardens — Wed, 1-3 p.m. (1831 Lafayette Rd; 317-327-7190)

Lastly, Indy Parks offers free meals and sandwiches at participating parks while supplies last. 

:

• Brookside Park: Monday through Friday,4-6 pm
• Christian Park: Monday through Friday at 4pm while supplies last
• Frederick Douglass Park: Monday to Friday at 3:30pm while supplies last
• Pride Park: Monday through Friday from 3-7pm and Saturday 11am-3pm
• Watkins Park: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11am while supplies last

Parks that offer free sandwiches:

• Riverside Park: Sandwiches are available for students after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
• Stanley Strader Park: sandwiches are available Monday to Friday from 2-4pm

When do people normally get benefits in Indiana? 

In Indiana, benefits are made available between the 5th to the 23rd of every month, based on the first letter of the person's last name, according to the USDA.

First letter of the last name is: A or B = benefits available on the 5th

First letter of the last name is: C or D = benefits available on the 7th

First letter of the last name is: E, F, or G = benefits available on the 9th

First letter of the last name is: H or I = benefits available on the11th

First letter of the last name is: J, K, or L = benefits available on the 13th

First letter of the last name is: M or N = benefits available on the 15th

First letter of the last name is: O, P, Q, or R = benefits available on the 17th

First letter of the last name is: S = benefits available on the 19th

First letter of the last name is: T, U, or V = benefits available on the 21st

First letter of the last name is: W, X, Y, or Z = benefits available on the 23rd

Contact Health Reporter Benjamin Thorp at bthorp@wfyi.org