Food insecure homes are increasing
February 15, 2023 at 5:44 p.m.
An analysis of federal data showed that the number of "food insecure" homes in Indiana increased by 53% between October 2021 and 2022.
Recognizing the growing needs of our communities, the United Way of Franklin and Ripley counties held community conversations in 2022 - an open and honest dialogue with Franklin and Ripley residents from all walks of life.
One of the main aspirations of community members was to provide all aspects of a healthy community, including access to basic needs like food and mental health resources.
With these growing needs, increasing resource accessibility for residents' assistance is crucial.
Director of Franklin Co. Tourism Mikel Beck recently announced the tourism website (www.franklincountyin.com) has a community calendar that will improve community members' access to various resources and events.
Food pantries and assistance in Franklin and Ripley counties (not a complete list)
•New Mercies offers free meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m.
•Redemption Life Church Food Bank, 112 Main St., Brookville, is open the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. and every third Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
•FCHS food pantry is open to the public from 4–5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. At the high school, community members drive up close to door A16, and boxes will be brought to their cars. It is one box per family, packed all the same.
•Greater Vision Ministries in Metamora will hold their next food pantry on Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
•Laurel Pentecostal Holiness Church, 167 Charles St. Laurel. For more information, call (317) 925-0191.
•MEALMAGIC FAMILY PORTAL is a link to submit free/reduced lunch and textbook applications. To begin, visit familyportal.cloud to launch the MealMagic Family Portal. Type in "Franklin County or Ripley County" and select "Franklin County Community Schools or Ripley County Community School, IN." Click the "go" button and then click "guest" and submit your information.
•Feed My Sheep Food Pantry/Bridge of Hope Worship Center, 405 E. County Rd. 50 S., Milan. For more information, call (812) 654-2350.
•Batesville Food Panty - The Food Pantry located at 920 County Line Road is dedicated to serving Batesville citizens who, for various reasons, have come upon hard times and do not have an adequate income to provide food for themselves and their family members. Volunteers provide a welcoming setting in which clients can be assured that they will be provided with good, nourishing food and basic toiletry items. The pantry is open on a monthly basis. To find out dates and times, call (812) 932-2622.
•Milan Community Emergency Relief, 203 S Main St., Milan. Hours are Tuesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. For more information, call (812) 756-3642.•Ripley County Food Pantry, 524 W Beech St., Osgood. For more information, (812) 689-4427.•Sunman Food Pantry, 8917 E County Rd 1300 N, Sunman. Hours are Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
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An analysis of federal data showed that the number of "food insecure" homes in Indiana increased by 53% between October 2021 and 2022.
Recognizing the growing needs of our communities, the United Way of Franklin and Ripley counties held community conversations in 2022 - an open and honest dialogue with Franklin and Ripley residents from all walks of life.
One of the main aspirations of community members was to provide all aspects of a healthy community, including access to basic needs like food and mental health resources.
With these growing needs, increasing resource accessibility for residents' assistance is crucial.
Director of Franklin Co. Tourism Mikel Beck recently announced the tourism website (www.franklincountyin.com) has a community calendar that will improve community members' access to various resources and events.
Food pantries and assistance in Franklin and Ripley counties (not a complete list)
•New Mercies offers free meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m.
•Redemption Life Church Food Bank, 112 Main St., Brookville, is open the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. and every third Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
•FCHS food pantry is open to the public from 4–5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. At the high school, community members drive up close to door A16, and boxes will be brought to their cars. It is one box per family, packed all the same.
•Greater Vision Ministries in Metamora will hold their next food pantry on Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
•Laurel Pentecostal Holiness Church, 167 Charles St. Laurel. For more information, call (317) 925-0191.
•MEALMAGIC FAMILY PORTAL is a link to submit free/reduced lunch and textbook applications. To begin, visit familyportal.cloud to launch the MealMagic Family Portal. Type in "Franklin County or Ripley County" and select "Franklin County Community Schools or Ripley County Community School, IN." Click the "go" button and then click "guest" and submit your information.
•Feed My Sheep Food Pantry/Bridge of Hope Worship Center, 405 E. County Rd. 50 S., Milan. For more information, call (812) 654-2350.
•Batesville Food Panty - The Food Pantry located at 920 County Line Road is dedicated to serving Batesville citizens who, for various reasons, have come upon hard times and do not have an adequate income to provide food for themselves and their family members. Volunteers provide a welcoming setting in which clients can be assured that they will be provided with good, nourishing food and basic toiletry items. The pantry is open on a monthly basis. To find out dates and times, call (812) 932-2622.
•Milan Community Emergency Relief, 203 S Main St., Milan. Hours are Tuesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. For more information, call (812) 756-3642.•Ripley County Food Pantry, 524 W Beech St., Osgood. For more information, (812) 689-4427.•Sunman Food Pantry, 8917 E County Rd 1300 N, Sunman. Hours are Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.