FAQs
Can the hungry get food at the food bank?
No, not directly. The food collected and warehoused at Gleaners is distributed to agencies that feed the hungry...places like food pantries, soup kitchens or shelters. These agencies receive food and critical grocery items from Gleaners and give it to those in need.
Exception: Community Cupboard Southwest is a food pantry located inside Gleaners Food Bank. If you live within Decatur Township, you are able to visit this food pantry every week. The pantry will be able to provide you groceries, hygiene products, and household goods without a charge to your family. You only need to bring a form of ID to verify that you live in Decatur Township.
Please visit 3737 Waldemere Avenue Indianapolis Indiana 46241 or call 317-925-0191 ext. 144 if you have any questions
The pantry is open on Tuesdays from 8-1, Wednesdays from 11-4, Thursday from 2-7 and Saturday from 8-1.
The following zip codes are served by this pantry: 46241, 46224, 46222, 46214, 46113, 46224, 46234, 46242, 46251, 46231, 46242 and 46251.
How does Gleaners get food?
Food donations come from Federal and State governments; major wholesale and retail food outlets including Quaker Oats, The Kroger Co., Wal-Mart and others; and through major food drives conducted by the Indianapolis Colts, the U.S. Postal Service, other corporations, service clubs and fraternal organizations.
Does Gleaners buy food?
Gleaners has been buying food for the youth programs for quite some time because of their special nutritional requirements. More recently, we've received specific gifts for senior food purchase, and we've also paid to have fresh produce grown by the farms of the Indiana Dept of Corrections. Gleaners also ordered almost $200,000 in food to help bridge the gap for pantries and other people-feeding agencies during this recent time of economic distress.
Does Gleaners sell food?
Gleaners does not, and in fact cannot, sell food. Moreover, our agencies cannot charge the final recipients.
Can we come and see how food banking works?
Yes! We encourage you to come! Seeing how the food is processed will give you a much better idea of how your donations are being used. Just give us a call to set up a tour and see for yourself how food banking is helping to feed the hungry in our community! Contact Sloan Shockley at (317) 925-0191 ext. 118 or via email at to schedule a tour!