INDIANAPOLIS —In just five days Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana distributed a record amount of food through its distribution center on the southwest side of Indianapolis.
A total of 1,078,561 pounds of food — 540,561 pounds distributed directly to Gleaners 21-count service area — was distributed between the Regional Produce Processing Center to other food banks in the state and surrounding states between July 22 and July 26.
"Most importantly, over 800,000 meals were provided to the hungry in our community and in our country thanks to your efforts," Joe Slater, Gleaners' COO and CFO, said in an email to his staff.
According to Gleaners, Slater noted the same headcount two years ago when the food bank distributed 500,000 pounds weekly. Gleaners also distributed over 33 million pounds in 2018, according to Slater.
"It takes everyone to pull off such a feat," Slater said in the email. "Our staff, who is so committed to our mission and their work; the volunteers who come in over multiple shifts daily to help sort and inspect food, bag produce, and pack BackSacks; and the generous donors who make it possible for us to purchase and distribute fresh, healthy food to those who rely on us."
Hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers depend on food and other critical groceries provided by Gleaners Food Bank every year. Gleaners supply hunger relief agencies and school throughout 21 counties in central and southeast Indiana.
