Andrew is an Indianapolis resident who spent 38 years saving lives as a nurse. Now retired, he never expected to rely on a neighborhood food pantry to help make ends meet.
“I have no problem saying when I retired from the state of California, I left a career where I was making $238,000 a year,” Andrew said. “And this is where I’m at.”
He’s talking about Westminster Neighborhood Services on Indianapolis’ near east side, where the organization operates a food pantry for neighbors in the 46201 ZIP code.
“Things are tough, as we know,” Andrew said. “So, this food pantry definitely helps with bridging the gap of food insecurity and financial need that so many of us are experiencing.”
A volunteer helps stock shelves at Westminster’s grocery-style food pantry.
Westminster’s pantry is set up like a small grocery store. Neighbors can choose from available produce, prepared foods, canned goods and other staples based on what they need.
“We have lots of choices,” said Mandy Wright-Jarrett of Westminster Neighborhood Services. “We’re very fortunate that way as a pantry.”
The pantry is open to residents in the 46201 ZIP code on Mondays, Tuesday evenings, and Thursdays. On the third Wednesday of each month, Westminster holds special senior shopping hours for neighbors 55 and older. Neighbors can visit the pantry twice a month.
Volunteers are essential to the operation. Nursing student and volunteer Mourandjina K. Jean said she most enjoys building a connection with the many community members who come in seeking assistance.
Volunteers Mourandjina K. Jean (left) and Mouranvjulie (right) enjoy serving the community and give back between long hours as nursing students.
“I enjoy my time here. I’m very happy to help people and smile. We have fun too,” Jean said.
Westminster also operates a soup kitchen, serving meals to people who come through its doors. Neighbors can continue coming for meals even after they have used their two monthly pantry visits.
For Andrew, the groceries he receives help reduce what he has to spend at the store.
“Oh my goodness, this has helped me out so much, tremendously,” he said. “It really reduces that insecurity and it really takes the pressure off of the financial strain that people have.”
Andrew owns his home and cares for two dogs. He said everyday expenses, including utilities and food, have become difficult to manage.
His experience is one example of the range of people Westminster serves. Wright-Jarrett said the pantry sees families, people working full-time and people experiencing homelessness.
“A majority of our folks who attend our pantry are walkers or take the bus and don’t have access to vehicles,” she said. “So accessibility is everything here.”
Westminster volunteers help guide neighbors through the shopping experience.
Westminster also serves as a place where people can spend time indoors, particularly those without stable housing.
“They can come in, close their eyes for a minute at the table while they’re waiting for their food, let their guard down, cool off or warm up, whatever it might be that day,” Wright-Jarrett said.
Andrew is one of many 46201 residents who visit the grocery-style pantry to help make ends meet. As a retiree, the pantry helps stretch his monthly budget.
Westminster is a Gleaners network partner. The relationship helps connect the pantry with staple foods and rescued items from retailers.
The partnership can extend beyond food. Gleaners staff have also visited Westminster during pantry hours to help neighbors navigate programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Westminster brings in other community organizations as well, offering services based on needs in the neighborhood.
“We’re always trying to offer different services as well during pantry outside of just food because there’s a need for everything right now,” Wright-Jarrett said.
Andrew said finding food assistance has also meant learning how to navigate the resources available throughout the community. He recommends the Community Compass app, a tool that allows people to search for nearby food assistance and filter locations by operating days and eligibility requirements.
For Andrew, asking for help has been an adjustment.
“It’s humbling,” he said. “But there’s such a community here that makes you feel welcome.”
His message to others facing similar circumstances is simple.
“Come on down to Westminster,” Andrew said. “It is a family. It is a community. And they’re here to help you. They helped me.”
