Immigrants in Indianapolis are relying on local food pantries during the pandemic to help stock shelves with different options.
The need to diversify comes as more immigrant and refugee families in Indianapolis turn to pantries for food since a federal public charge rule expanded under the Trump administration.
The rule could negatively impact a person’s citizenship eligibility, so more people have fallen off the rolls of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The federal program provides low and no income people and families with electronic benefits cards that can be used to buy food.
Immigrant Welcome Center Program Manager Amy Shackelford said there are other gaps in the food line.
“Not having the appropriate food that people want,” Shackelford said. “Another is not advertising and doing outreach about the pantry in the language that people prefer.”
The center is working with more pantries to stock foods desired by different cultures.
Shackleford said there’s more awareness of the growing need.
“A lot of social service providers are coming to a realization that they are seeing a lot more immigrant and refugee clients and they don’t quite know how to navigate it and understand all the different policies,” Shackelford said.
The federal public charge rule is under review and could result in more immigrants receiving SNAP assistance.
March 8, 2021
More Diversity Needed For Immigrant Families At Pantries
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.
Related News
Local News / October 21, 2025
Shutdown impacts federal workers in Indiana, Gleaners reaches out with food
Gleaners Food Bank is setting up set-up food distribution systems to help federal workers who struggle during the shutdown.
Read MoreLocal News / October 21, 2025
Interview: Local investigation reveals more misconduct inside city government
A joint investigation by Indy Star and Mirror Indy reveals Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration potentially overlooked conflicts of interest that were tied to more than $80 million in city-backed development deals.
Read MoreLocal News / October 18, 2025
Thousands pack Indiana’s Statehouse lawn in wave of No Kings protests nationally
Thousands of people gathered on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse Saturday for the “No Kings 2.0” rally in Indianapolis.
Read More
DONATE







Support WFYI. We can't do it without you.