Elkhart County unites to fight hunger with new collaborative

ELKHART, Ind — September is Hunger Action Month, and Elkhart County is joining forces with over 60 hunger relief organizations across to be able to feed more people than ever before!

Many of these organizations have been around for generations. Church Community Services has been helping people for 58 years. But now they join together working towards what has always been their common goal, ending hunger in Elkhart County.

Mindy Morehead, Executive Director of First Light Mission explains, "we're not going to get very far alone. So, we joined forces and came together. We can end hunger.”

Food relief organizations bring in all types of people with one common struggle. This collaborative aims to combat that by providing food and resources to those in need.

Naomi Leary, Executive Director of The Window says, “a lot of the factors that bring people to our food pantry, whether it's rising rent or rising utility costs, these are bigger factors than what we can influence.”

Another factor that plays into this collaboration is the effort to provide protein rich foods along with fresh produce, something that is not always common at a food pantry.

Many members ABC 57’s Sidney Moore spoke with have volunteered their time and have had the opportunity to see the impact they're making firsthand.

Many people do not know where to look in crisis. The joining of forces across the county aims to provide a welcoming space for anyone who needs help.

Deb Duchac, Society of Saint Vincent Depaul volunteer says, "giving a helping hand to people who really need it, that's a great feeling, great feeling.”

For more information on this collaborative visit: www.hungerendshere.com