Since 2014, Gleaners has partnered with Indianapolis public safety departments to develop and implement a collaborative engagement program to address the issue of hunger in areas of the city where there is higher crime, lack of educational achievement, unemployment and feelings of isolation.

The Community Action Relief Effort (CARE) Program introduced mobile pantries to help curb food insecurity in some of these most vulnerable areas. CARE mobile pantry distributions are active from June to August — a critical time of year as many children don’t have access to school-provided meals during summer break.