Food Ministries
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Food Ministries Update
The most people to ever come to our food pantry in one month had been in January of this year: over 600 people came. This past October, over 800 people came, many for the first time ever at a food pantry. One man came because his wheelchair-bound daughter had her Medicaid benefit cut so much that she and her husband and child had to move in with her dad. He was already working two jobs and he was so ashamed to ask for help. We are here for people like them. I hope he left glad that he came and not ashamed anymore. Do you want to help people like this family? Some of my wonderful volunteers have had to stop or will be moving away. I need helpers. Duties and times are flexible. I will help you learn what you need to know. Ask me anything, I’ll tell you. And thank you for reading! God bless us all.
~Lawson Hunsicker
Food Ministries Coordinator
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About our Food Mninistries
St. Mary Neighborhood Food Pantry
The food pantry began in 2010 with a few cans of food and a locker for those in need. Over the years, thanks to generous donations, it expanded and, by 2022, became a full-time community outreach ministry. It operates entirely on food donations and funds, and is open over 50 hours a month, more than any other pantry in Madison County. The pantry also partners with other local pantries, a meat wholesaler in Indianapolis, and St. John Vianney Church in Fishers for additional support.
Soup KitchenOur Soup Kitchen, established in 1997, began with parishioner Ron Cole and six cooks making 12 gallons of soup. It has now grown to involve around 60 volunteers who prepare various soups using donated or purchased ingredients. The soup is delivered to the Christian Center for the homeless and Alternatives for women escaping violence. Each month, they produce 60 gallons of soup, feeding approximately 720 people.
Second Harvest Food DriveIn 2015, parishioner George Zink and Tim Kaine from the Second Harvest Food Bank in Muncie launched a successful food distribution initiative directly to St. Mary School. This initiative has grown significantly, with food now delivered twice a month and managed by a dedicated team of parishioners. They serve 119 families—398 individuals—monthly through the Second Harvest Drive-Thru. The drive-thru remains open to all, supported by community contributions.
Panera Bread MinistryThe Panera Bread Ministry is a long-standing tradition in our pastorate. Every Friday evening, volunteers collect surplus bread and pastries from Panera Bread. The items are then taken to our food pantry, where volunteers slice and bag them for weekend distribution at St. Mary Church. Any leftover bread is sent to the Food Pantry to reach more people in need. This weekly effort ensures no bread goes to waste while helping those in need.
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