Be a Hunger Hero

During the month of October Kokomo Urban Outreach is endeavoring to fill the Food Pantries and to help make the community more aware of hunger and low food security. Hunger is defined as suffering from a discomforting sensation that may result in weakness, illness, and/or pain. Many of those who are hungry are children. Kokomo Urban Outreach sees families daily, who suffer from hunger and low and very low food security. According to the Indiana Emergency Food Resource Network web site, low food security is described as “three or more reported indications of food-access problems that resulted in diet quality reduction, but did not substantially affect the quality of food or their normal eating patterns. Very low food security is multiple reported indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. In Indiana, 13.5 percent of households were considered to suffer from low food security from 2010-2012.

HUNGER HERO’S ARE NEEDED - Kokomo Urban Outreach is one of several organizations who are members of the Kokomo Food Pantry Network. According to data presented at the Network’s October meeting a total of 1,631 families received food during the month of September. “Kokomo Urban Outreach has provided food to 906 of those families” according to John Martin, Director of the KUO Food Pantries.

In order to serve 900 families, it takes approximately 5,000 pounds of food per week. To get through the month of October, “Hunger Heroes” are being sought to help provide 10,000 pounds of food and $10,000. The KUO food pantries rely on the generous donations of individuals, churches and grocery stores, who are some of our “Hunger Heroes”. Jeff Newton states that “currently fifteen percent of our guests are first time visitors to a Networked Pantry. Unfortunately, because of this increase our resources are severely stretched. The donations are just not coming in fast enough to meet the current demand. However we will do our best to continue to provide for those in need.”

THE HISTORY OF THE KUO PANTRY –Kokomo Urban Outreach has been providing food to families since 2007 when the first Food Pantry was opened. The first pantry was open for just a few hours per week and served approximately 20 families per week. As the food security decreased, creating more demand for food, KUO expanded to meet the needs of Kokomo and Howard County. KUO now has 5 weekly pantry locations which serve approximately 225 families per week.

IT IS EASY TO BE A “HUNGER HERO”
Donations of non-perishable food pantry items may be delivered, during regular business hours, to the following locations:

INDIANA HEARTLAND CREDIT UNION – 319 S. Berkley Road

MCALISTERS Deli – 2020 S. Reed Road – Donations may be made daily, however guests will receive a free tea for 2 food pantry donations EVERY Tuesday

BMO HARRIS
2135 N. Washington
2206 W. Sycamore
2800 S. Reed Road
2825 S. Washington

KEY BANK
221 W. Main St., Suite #2, Greentown
224 N. Main Street
300 E. Southway
1141 E. Hoffer St.
2405 W. Jefferson St.

ORANGE LEAF - 1660 E. Boulevard

PLANET FITNESS – Walmart Plaza

SOLIDARITY FEDERAL COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION - 201 E. Southway Blvd.

KOKOMO URBAN OUTREACH FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

Canned Fruit
Chicken Noodle
Canned Vegetables
Canned Entrée (chili, ravioli, stew)
Toilet Paper
Ramen Noodles
Macaroni & Cheese
Peanut butter
Cereal
Canned Meat (tuna, chicken, spam)
Side Dishes
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Feminine Hygiene Items