According to the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, 950,220 Hoosiers experienced food insecurity in 2022. The Institute noted that 13.9% of our neighbors lacked access to nutritious food, which can lead to “hunger, malnutrition, and increased risks for chronic diseases. Socially, food insecurity reduces people’s cognitive ability by making it more difficult to concentrate and work effectively.”

The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. To put it simply, many Hoosiers are not able to obtain enough food to meet their basic needs.

The reality for veterans and military families is even more sobering. The Military Family Advisory Network reports that 1 in 5 military families, or 20%, face food insecurity. Nearly 16% of Post 9/11 veterans lack regular access to nutritious food.

Meeting the basic needs of veterans is at the core of HVAF’s mission to provide housing, hope, and self-sufficiency to veterans and their families. The Colonel Donald W. Moreau, Sr. Veterans Community Center at HVAF is often the front line of assistance for many veterans and families in our community. Each week, the pantries open to provide food, clothing, and hygiene items to those in need.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen significant growth in demand for basic needs assistance among veterans in Central Indiana. In 2023, we distributed 83,000 pounds of food and clothing, which was 22% more than the year before. And, in 2024, we distributed over 105,000 pounds of food and clothing to veterans and families in Central Indiana.

We have nearly completed drawings for a new pantry space, which will occupy the lobby of Manchester Apartments when construction is completed. I am excited to report to you the new pantry will double our pantry shelving space for both food and clothing and will create an opportunity for on-site sorting and storage. 

We are proud to work with partners like Second Helpings and Gleaners to help meet the needs of hungry veterans in our community. But more importantly, we need your support. In-kind donations of non-perishable food items keep our shelves stocked. Our Amazon Wishlist is updated with items most needed in our pantry, and you can choose to ship items directly to HVAF!

It is a hard reality, that in the land of plenty, so many of our Hoosier heroes struggle to find their next meal. Thank you for your compassion for those we serve.