Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Mobile Market helps curb hunger in Lake, Porter counties

Valparaiso, Indiana (WLS) — Five days a week, Northwest Indiana food bank volunteers and staff make free, nutritious food readily available to neighbors from the comfort of their vehicles.

“People are able to maintain their dignity, stay in their cars, never feel less than two people, and reduce transportation barriers,” says Victor Garcia. Northwest Indiana food bank.

The Food Bank’s mobile market program will travel to select communities in Lake and Porter Counties facing food insecurity.

“Some people are living in poverty, others have recently lost their jobs and are just trying to live for a short period of time,” Garcia said.

And with food prices skyrocketing, every little bit helps.

“It serves the basics and you have to worry about the majority,” said Lake Station’s Tasha Gaspar. “I’m a single mother of her four kids and then became a mother, so it’s really hard now.”

Julie Anderson, SNAP support coordinator at the Northwest Indiana Food Bank, said, “It’s great for families to know that we can celebrate, that our food is taken care of, and that we can focus on loving each other. I think it will be useful.

And that love is what makes sure volunteers and staff share it with a helping hand and a caring face.

“We want every car and every person to be smiling. How are you and thank you for coming,” said Anderson. “When they say thank you, I feel it is my pleasure to be served by them. I used to be that hungry person, so I love my job.

Northwest Indiana food banks have been fighting hunger since 1982.

We distribute more than 4.5 million meals each year in Lake and Porter counties.