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.
-
IMPD urges peace this weekend after recent gun violence
This comes after a mass shooting last weekend that killed two and injured five. IMPD and Indiana State Police will have an increased presence downtown this weekend.
Kelsey Mitchell scores 25, Fever beat the Dream 99-82
Kelsey Mitchell scored 25 points, Aliyah Boston had 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists, and the Indiana Fever used a 59-point second half to beat the Atlanta Dream 99-82 on Friday night.
New book highlights Caitlin Clark's impact on Indy and beyond
'On Her Game' by USA Today Columnist Christine Brennan follows Caitlin Clark during her rookie season.
$160 million facility to manufacture cancer treatment opens in Indianapolis
Bristol Myers Squibb is preparing to ship a new and possibly life-changing cancer treatment to patients across the world. The doses will be made and researched in Indianapolis.
