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.
-
Project to bring more affordable housing to northeast Indy
Amid an affordable housing crisis across the nation, a new project is looking to rehabilitate vacant units to provide more low-cost living options on the city's northeast side.
Caitlin Clark's ready for new challenges in Indy, hopes to inspire young girls
As Clark represents the Indiana Fever, she's hoping to continue to inspire other girls out there while making an impact in the WNBA.
Holy Cross Church gets permanent historic distinction to stop demolition plans
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis wants to tear down the vacant Church of the Holy Cross. The City of Indianapolis chose to protect the building instead.
IU Graduate students on strike; Seeking over $5,000 raise
In 2022, graduate workers at IU protested to receive higher wages. Today, students protested that the continued rise of inflation demands for another raise.
