Johnson County food pantries serve thousands of families during the winter months, particularly during the holidays, and rely on donations and volunteers to make it happen.
Interchurch
Food Pantry
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Interchurch Food Pantry of Johnson County in Franklin serves about 7,500 people a month. The pantry has about 200 dedicated volunteers, said Carol Phipps, pantry manager.
The pantry, open six days a week but closed during the holidays, gets its food from a variety of sources, she said.
“It’s through food drives, donations from individuals, church and businesses, picking up food from food banks and rescuing food from schools and restaurants,” Phipps said. “We’ve had several businesses that have done local food drives … Summers Plumbing, Mitsubishi. We get any leftover food from the Good Cheer Fund that’s not given out.”
Interchurch Food Pantry is looking for hot, non-perishable food items this time of year, including: oatmeal; canned chili; beef stew; soup; and coffee, Phipps said.
The pantry will be open during its regular hours through Monday, and will reopen after New Year’s Day.
Johnson County
Senior Services
Johnson County Senior Services’ food pantry is the only one in Johnson County that arranges deliveries to the homes of needy seniors once a month, said Kimberly Smith, executive director.
The pantry, which had 389 volunteers last year, collects non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, protein, canned tuna and other meats, vegetables and oatmeal, but also provides seniors with free door-to-door transportation and medical equipment such as incontinence protection, she said.
The senior services organization also organizes a holiday program dubbed Seniors Still Believe, which provides necessities, such as blankets, socks, snacks and pet food. Sponsors give seniors gifts, but those seniors can also go to the senior services center if they are chosen to pick up items there. Through this program, Johnson County Senior Services is in the process of delivering more than 1,000 gifts to seniors throughout the county, Smith said.
As for food, the demand never decreases no matter the season, she said.
“People give more during the holidays, but seniors are hungry all year long,” Smith said.
Impact Center Food Pantry, Mount Pleasant Christian Church
When supplying food for the less fortunate, cash is the biggest asset people can donate, Director Steve Saunders said.
“It gives us the most flexibility to buy fresh fruit and protein and make sure the items are healthy choices,” Saunders said.
The pantry serves about 600 people each week and only requires its patrons to bring a photo ID. Many of its needs revolve around items that can’t be bought with food stamps, such as laundry soap, dish soap, toiletries, feminine hygiene products and shampoo, he said.
The pantry also tries to connect its visitors to faith, as it is hosted by Mount Pleasant Christian Church in the Center Grove area, Saunders said.
“The pantry is set up like a grocery store, and there’s a clothing side. They can shop for food once a week and clothing once a month,” Saunders said. “We have a worship service, and as a ministry, we try and develop relationships with the people we serve as much as we try and provide food and clothes.”
The Refuge
food pantry
The Refuge food pantry in Greenwood serves about 300 people each month, said Stacie Ruff, food pantry office coordinator.
The pantry, which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, has sponsors such as Ray Skillman and The Garrett Companies. Other businesses, such as the Greenwood Family Chiropractic and Franciscan Alliance, have helped the pantry with toy drives, Ruff said.
Although the pantry is closed until Jan. 2, it will continue its semiweekly offerings after the holidays. The pantry gave its workers time off because it is 95 percent volunteer-run, she said.
Families who eat at the pantry are allowed to come once each month. In order to keep the pantry open twice a week, 80 to 100 volunteers contribute their time and effort. The pantry is in need of non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables, fruit, spaghetti, pasta sauce and cereal. The pantry is also in need of hygiene items such as diapers and toilet paper, Ruff said.
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Here is a look at some of the food pantries in Johnson County.
Interchurch Food Pantry of Johnson County
Location: 211 Commerce Drive, Franklin
Hours: Noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday
Donations: Accepted during hours of operation
Information: Call 317-736-5090 or email [email protected]
Mount Pleasant Christian Church Impact Center
Location: 381 N. Bluff Road, Greenwood
Hours: Clients must be in the building during the following sign in times: Thursdays: 9:15-9:40 a.m., 12:15-12:40 p.m., 6:15-6:40 p.m.; Saturdays: 9:15-9:40 a.m. Households may receive food one time per week and clothing one time per month.
Donations: Items may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday; 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; and 9-11 a.m. Saturday.
Information: Call 317-889-9650
Johnson County Senior Services
Location: 731 S. State St., Franklin
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Information: Call 317-738-4544
Lord’s Locker
Location: 101 S. Pleasant St., Trafalgar.
Open: Wednesdays: 9 to 11 a.m. for senior citizens (over 60 only; clients must be in the building by 9:30 a.m. to receive food). 1 p.m. for heads of household (clients 40 to 59 years old; must be in the building by 1:30 p.m. to receive food). Thursdays: 6 p.m. for heads of household (ages 20 to 39 years; must be in the building by 6:30 p.m. to receive food). During all distribution times, devotion and prayer will be followed by food distribution and shopping.
Donations: Accepted 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to noon the third Saturday of every month
Information: Call 317-878-7708
Our Lady of the Greenwood
Location: 335 S. Meridian St.
Open: 11 a.m. to 2 p. m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday except when Parish office is closed.
Donations: Patrons can make donations at the red cart inside the back door of the church between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Information: Call 317-888-2861
The Refuge
Location: 1111 S. Park Drive, Greenwood
Open: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday
Donations: Accepted during office or pantry hours
Information: Call 317-889-7338
The Salvation Army Food Pantry
Location: 325 Market Plaza, Greenwood
Open: 12:30 to 2:45 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Information: Call 317-881-2505.
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