Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is thrilled to once again partner with Rev. Matt Landry of Castleton United Methodist Church for an awesome 30 Days of Catch campaign!

This initiative will see Rev. Landry play catch with community members throughout September, which we recognize as Hunger Action Month. Throughout the month, Landry will play catch all around town, from Victory Field to various local baseball diamonds and raise money for Gleaners. All the money raised will go to neighbors facing food insecurity. 

The project officially kicked off on Sept. 1. 

“It’s been great to play catch with people I had never met until that moment. Getting to know them a little bit, sharing about our work with Gleaners and supporting a great cause,” Landry said. 

Now in its second year, Landry is excited to build off lessons learned from last season’s 30 Days of Catch. As a pastor on Indy’s northeast side for more than two years, Landry said he has seen firsthand how food insecurity impacts the community. Rev. Landry and Castleton United Methodist Church play a role in providing more access to food in the neighborhood by participating in Gleaners’ CARE Program.

The CARE Program has been in action since 2014. It’s designed to help curb summertime food insecurity in some of Indianapolis’ most vulnerable areas

The mobile pantry at 75th Street and Shadeland Avenue, where Landry and his church members volunteer, serves an estimated 550 families weekly during the summer months. 

“It’s just been an amazing effort. Not just from Castleton church, but from all those who participated in other churches as well as area hospitals, area businesses and offices who have sent staff to come join us and to serve,” Landry said.

When efforts at those CARE mobile pantry programs were well underway, Landry happened upon another possible solution to alleviate hunger during a visit to the local library.

IndyStar: Story about family and friendship, hunger and hope, begins like this: Want to play catch?

While perusing books with his young sons, Landry happened upon one called, “Year of Playing Catch” by Ethan Brian. With some coordination from the author himself, 30 Days of Catch was born and Landry began fundraising. 

“It was just so inspiring to be able to meet with people and one-on-one, learn a little bit about them, share about the work of Gleaners, and raise some funds. You bring together baseball and a really important need, and all of a sudden, this 30 Days of Catch became what it became, which is really exciting,” Landry said. 

Last year’s campaign generated $22,000 for Gleaners. It’s a goal Landry hopes to surpass, with this year’s 30 Days of Catch goal set at $25,000.

“Hopefully, we’ll get there. It’s bigger than last year, obviously. But we do have a matching opportunity this year. So, I’m really excited about that opportunity – that every donation will be doubled in that sense – and the dollar will be stretched even further,” Landry said. 

If you want to help out during this campaign, there are several ways to do so.

“The first option is of course to donate. Or, you can actually dust off the glove in the garage or your bedroom and play catch with me!” Landry said. 

Donate to the 30 Days of Catch campaign here.