Muncie-based Second Harvest Food Bank has a new way of providing food to thousands of East Central Indiana residents in need. Second Harvest has two newly acquired refrigerated semi-trailers on the road thanks to a $104,000 grant provided by The American Electric Power Foundation (AEP Foundation) on behalf of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M).
The AEP Foundation grant enables Second Harvest Food Bank, the third largest food bank in Indiana, to transport significantly more food donations from businesses and organizations that provide surplus food to those living with food insecurity.
Second Harvest is seeing an increase in the amount of food it provides as a result of COVID-19. In 2020, it supplied more than 14.8 million pounds of food compared to 8.1 million pounds in 2019.
“We want to thank the AEP Foundation and I&M for this generous donation as we help our community members deeply impacted by this last year,” said Tim Kean, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “The funds help Second Harvest remain committed to ensuring healthy food is available to anyone who needs support. This grant is instrumental in enabling Second Harvest to provide increased food and resources to tens of thousands of neighbors in need.”
The semi-trailers help the agency expedite the delivery of more food to Food Distribution Tailgates, schools, area agency partners and adult-living facilities. Each 53-foot trailer hauls an average load of 30,000 pounds of food, or approximately 25,000 meals. Both semi-trailers can transport multiple loads per day, delivering more than 50,000 meals daily.
“Muncie and other parts of East Central Indiana have been home to I&M and its forerunners for more than a century, and we are pleased to help area residents meet their basic needs during these unprecedented times,” said Toby Thomas, I&M president and COO. “Our employees live and work in East Central Indiana. They are your neighbors and friends. We are committed to helping our neighbors, and this is one way we can help the people in our communities remain nourished, healthy and safe as we all strive for better days ahead.”
Over the past year, the AEP Foundation and I&M stepped up efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to support residents and communities in East Central Indiana as well as other areas in I&M’s service territory.
I&M encourages local businesses, non-profits and those who call East Central Indiana home to support the Second Harvest Food Bank. For more information visit: www.CureHunger.org.