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.
-
Roundabout project aims to help with growth in Bargersville
A new investment in the intersection of State Road 135 and State Road 144 will help improve traffic, reduce delays and ensure safety in the area.Indiana not joining summer program to feed hungry students
It might be more difficult for Hoosier families to feed their kids this summer. As it stands right now, the state will not participate in SUN Bucks.Support group offers hope and community for grandparents raising grandchildren
In the wake of the opioid crisis, more than 2.5 million grandparents across the United States are raising their grandchildren, as reported by Congress.Parents express concern surrounding investigation at Brownsburg daycare
A massive investigation is underway, looking into a Brownsburg childcare facility. A former employee of Main Street University 4 Kidz is accused of child molestation.