Founded in 1993, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana has been dedicated to alleviating hunger and addressing food insecurity across six counties: Elkhart, LaPorte, Kosciusko, Marshall, Starke, and St. Joseph. Originally established through the efforts of the United Religious Community of St. Joseph County’s Hunger Education Task Force, the organization began as the North Central Indiana Food Bank and quickly grew from distributing just 6,800 pounds of food in its first year to becoming a certified member of the Feeding America network. In 2000, the Food Bank secured its permanent home in South Bend, expanding its capacity to meet the region’s growing demand for nutritious food.

Today, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana partners with a wide network of manufacturers, retailers, growers, and community organizations to distribute millions of pounds of food each year. In 2021 alone, more than 10.4 million pounds of food were distributed through 125 member agencies. Despite this progress, food insecurity still affects 12.4% of northern Indiana residents, including 17.5% of children. The Food Bank remains steadfast in its mission to ensure equitable access to nutritious food, believing that a well-nourished community is better equipped to thrive and build a stronger future for all.