Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Indiana Needs Food Bank Volunteers As National Guard Deployment Ends

Hoosiers interested in volunteering at regional food banks can sign up at OperationFood.IN.gov
Justin Hicks/IPB News
Hoosiers interested in volunteering at regional food banks can sign up at OperationFood.IN.gov

Indiana’s food banks are in critical need of volunteers. The state is putting out a call for help ahead of the end of the month – when the need increases significantly.

The Indiana National Guard deployed members to the state’s 13 regional charitable food distribution sites around the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But their temporary, six-month deployment ends Sept. 30, leaving food banks with a huge gap in their workforce needs. And the increased demand for food hasn’t waned as the pandemic continues.

Hoosiers interested in volunteering can sign up at OperationFood.IN.gov. They’ll be matched with the food bank in their area to coordinate assignments.

More than 200 people have signed up in the first few days since the state’s call went out. Indiana is hoping to get 600 to 700 volunteers.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.