Food bank volunteer opportunities near Indianapolis

Last year, 1 out of every 6 people in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were food insecure in 2022. That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said in a statement accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an increase in the number of people they served.

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, Stacker compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Indianapolis using data from VolunteerMatch. Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Regional Director-Indianapolis and Indiana
- Organization: CitiIMPACT
- Read more on website

Food Distribution Volunteers
- Organization: SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
- Read more on website

Food Pantry Helpers
- Organization: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocesan Council of Indianapolis
- Read more on website

Board Member
- Organization: Soul Food Project, Inc
- Read more on website

Provide food assistance to neighbors visiting our client choice pantry
- Organization: HUNGER INC
- Read more on website

Daily Delivery Volunteer
- Organization: MEALS ON WHEELS OF CENTRAL INDIANA
- Read more on website

Help Us in our Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen!
- Organization: Westminister Neighborhood Services
- Read more on website

LEAD VOLUNTEER
- Organization: Midwest Food Bank-Indiana
- Read more on website

Sharing Place Food Pantry Volunteer - Wednesday
- Organization: Lutheran Child and Family Services
- Read more on website

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: Social Media Manager / Donor Solicitor for a Nonprofit Organization
- Organization: Idealist.org
- Read more on website

Help feed a hungry neighbor - volunteer at Gleaners food pantry!
- Organization: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
- Read more on website

Driving Compassion - Deliver Meals
- Organization: Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County, Inc.
- Read more on website

Food Pantry and Thrift Store assistance.
- Organization: St,. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry Noblesville
- Read more on website

Help a Neighbor in Lebanon Homemade Meal
- Organization: Lasagna Love
- Read more on website

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.