As the cost of living continues to rise across Indiana, The Refuge, a community support center and Gleaners network partner in Greenwood, has seen a notable increase in working families seeking assistance.

“The numbers change depending on what’s happening in the economy,” said Executive Director Kerry Carmichael. “But recently, it’s been the cost of groceries, gas, and rent. More working families are walking through our doors than ever before.”

Founded to serve local residents in crisis, The Refuge offers more than just food assistance. Every individual or family who visits meets one-on-one with a staff member. The goal is to build trust and identify other areas where support may be needed.

“We always start with food, but it’s rarely just about food,” Carmichael said. “Sometimes it’s about finding a bed for a child, preparing for a job interview, or just having someone to talk to.”

The center provides a range of wrap-around services, including spiritual support, academic help for children, and employment readiness. 

Volunteers play a key role in operations, from staffing the front desk to organizing food distribution and mentoring students.

“We could not do what we do without volunteers,” Carmichael said. “They support our after-school program, help prepare the pantry, and even cook meals for our homebound neighbors.”

One program, known as the Oven Mitt Meal Initiative, invites volunteer groups to assemble home-cooked meals on site, which are then frozen and delivered to families in need. 

Participants of all ages can join, including youth, in The Refuge’s own after-school program.

The organization also partners with Gleaners Food Bank to secure fresh, quality foods at reduced or no cost.

“Before partnering with Gleaners, we were paying around $3 per gallon for milk for 70 families per week,” Carmichael said. “Now, we receive it for free. That savings allows us to reinvest in other areas.”

While the impact of services is sometimes difficult to measure, Carmichael said stories do emerge that affirm the center’s work.

About a decade ago, The Refuge assisted a mother with gas money so she could attend a court hearing for her son, who was then in juvenile detention. 

Years later, the son returned. Now an adult, he offered a grocery store partnership to support the pantry that once helped his mother.

“He said it meant everything that someone helped his mother help him,” Carmichael said. “Now he wants to do the same for someone else.”

The center’s after-school program is also growing, though limited by space. Carmichael said staff work directly with local schools, parents and guardians to identify each child’s needs.

“One boy told us, ‘I’m not going to grow up and do anything because I’m not good enough,'” she said. “We’re working to change that narrative: to show every child they matter.”

Looking ahead, the organization hopes to expand services and possibly its physical space. A larger dining area could allow The Refuge to offer hot meals on a regular basis — something Carmichael said is a frequent request.

For now, she encourages those in need not to hesitate.

“We know it’s hard to ask for help,” she said. “But if someone can just walk through the door, we’ll do everything we can to make them feel seen and cared for.”

The Refuge is currently exploring options for additional space and partnerships. Volunteers, donations, and community collaboration remain critical to sustaining and expanding the organization’s mission.

“We’re always looking at what’s next,” Carmichael said. “We want to go where the need is and where we’re called to serve.”