Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana distributed a record amount of food this week. Between July 22nd and 26th, more than 1 million pounds of food was distributed through the distribution center, located on the southwest side of Indianapolis.
The actual total tipped the scale at 1,078,561 lbs. Of that amount, 540,561 pounds was distributed directly into Gleaners 21-county service area. The remaining 538,000 pounds was distributed through the Regional Produce Processing Center to other Food Banks in Indiana and surrounding states.
Gleaners’ COO/CFO, Joe Slater, sent an email out to all staff this afternoon at 3:49 pm noting the milestone. “Most importantly, over 800,000 meals were provided to the hungry in our community and in our country thanks to your efforts,” he said.
Slater noted that 2 years ago with the same headcount, Gleaners distributed 500,000 pounds weekly and distributed just over 33 million pounds in 2018. “It takes everyone to pull off such a feat. Our staff, who is so committed to our mission and their work; the volunteers who come in over multiple shifts daily to help sort and inspect food, bag produce, and pack BackSacks; and the generous donors who make it possible for us to purchase and distribute fresh, healthy food to those who rely on us,” he added.