Officials shed light on how the Food Bank of Northern Indiana feeds families

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Officials toured the Food Bank of Northern Indiana to highlight the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

Since the pandemic began, organizations like the Food Bank of Northern Indiana have seen an uptick in need as more people are laid off because of the coronavirus crisis.

“The Farmers to Families Food Box program really came as a result of the strife and the congestion and the difficulties with COVID,” U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Affairs Ted McKinney said. “People who normally do not need SNAP or other benefits from the government needed some help. It’ll be temporarily and I think we’re still in that zone right now and so this is a quick way. A pre-filled box handed to car, on they go, very efficient.”

There will be another drive happening Friday in Starke County from 10 a.m. to noon central time at the Knox Methodist United Church. Participants are asked to pop open their trunk and volunteers will load in the pre-boxed food items, no contact necessary.