INDIANAPOLIS — Alexandra Garcia works hard to make sure no one in her southwest side community goes hungry.
Garcia is the food pantry director at Iglesia Cristiana Ebenezer, which in the last year has helped between 400 and 500 people in need.
“It’s people, immigrants (that) come. They have nowhere to live. They don’t have food at all. There are so many homeless around this area," Garcia said.
In Marion County alone, there are more than 130 food pantries in churches like Garcia’s.
Statewide, churches make up an estimated 70 percent of all pantries.
On Friday, hundreds gathered for a 24-hour-long prayer and worship session to address food insecurity.
“Believe it or not there’s more food that’s being thrown away than being giving away," Merlin Gonzales, President of Faith Hope and Love, said.
Gonzales' organization trains and equips faith-based food pantries to alleviate hunger in neighborhoods around central Indiana.
“Churches want to help people because that’s part of their mission. To feed the poor, to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty," Gonzales said.
Gonzales says the purpose of the gathering is unity. He hopes it will bring Hoosiers of all different ethnicities, languages and races.
“Without the unity of the churches, the food pantries aren’t going to survive. Many people are going to be affected by the food insecurity that’s happening in Indianapolis," Gonzales said.
If you’d like to get involved, the worship and prayer will continue until Saturday at 6 p.m. at 1460 S. Belmont Ave.
-
Preparing for the political chatter around the table on Thanksgiving
IU psychology professor Edward Hirt offers insight on navigating through this first big family get-together, since an historic and polarizing election.
No. 16 Indiana remains unbeaten with 69-58 win over UNC Greensboro
Myles Rice scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half, freshman Bryson Tucker finished with a season-high 14 and No. 16 Indiana got past UNC Greensboro 69-58 on Thursday night.
I have a frozen Thanksgiving turkey. When should I thaw it?
Do you have a large Thanksgiving turkey in your freezer taking up space? Learn when you should move it to the fridge.
Local Boy Scout thanks first responders with large popcorn donation
Thanking first responders who put their lives on the line for the community is what a local Boy Scout did through a donation to IMPD's Mobile Crisis Assistance Team.
