HHFB Adds All-Electric Van to Fleet and Kicks Off Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month and Hoosier Hills Food Bank is kicking it off by adding the first all-electric vehicle to its fleet with the arrival of “Sparky”, a 2025 Chevrolet BrightDrop 600 van, acquired in partnership with Curry Auto Center.
 
Sparky will ease the pressure on the food bank’s other vans, the oldest of which was acquired in 2008.  It will serve in a variety of roles, helping to maintain HHFB’s partnership with Bloomington Meals on Wheels by collecting meals from their providers and transporting them to their home base for volunteers to deliver to the homebound; distributing food drive collection barrels and picking up food drive donations from the community; visiting outreach events; and making other pick-ups and deliveries as needed. ​

“Acquiring a new van has been a priority for us because of the volume of activity we’re engaging in every day,” said HHFB Executive Director Julio Alonso.  “We’re moving over 11 tons of food each day that we’re open and most of our ten vehicles see daily use. Our oldest van is just not as reliable as it used to be, and the addition of Sparky is going to give us greater flexibility and capacity.  We are very grateful to Curry Auto Center for partnering with us not only to fill that need, but to add the first EV to our fleet.”
 
“It’s an honor and privilege to be able to partner with Hoosier Hills Food Bank.  They provide needs for so many people in our town, county and touching counties.  When I think of the impact that they have, it just feels right to continue the dealerships goal of making this community better for all,” said Curry Auto Center owner Cary Curry.
 
While some of HHFB’s more than 80 partner agencies pick up their products at the food bank, over 80% of the 5,789,875 pounds of food HHFB distributed in 2024 was delivered using the food bank’s fleet.  HHFB rescues, collects and purchases food from a variety of sources and distributes it in six counties through a network of partner agencies and direct service programs including mobile pantries.
 
Community members can help support the food bank through two food drives that are scheduled for Hunger Action Month and Bloomingfoods shoppers can also lend support during September. 
 

• Monroe Hospital and Monroe Fire Protection District are hosting a “Touch a Truck” event including a food drive for HHFB on Friday, September 5 from 3-7pm at Monroe Hospital, 4011 S Monroe Medical Park Blvd.
• Kroger is hosting the Firefighters Fighting Hunger food drive on Saturday, September 13th from 10am-2pm at two locations: HHFB staff will be on hand along with Monroe Fire Protection District firefighters collecting food at Kroger Clear Creek, 4025 S Old State Road 37; and HHFB staff and firefighters from the Bloomington Fire Department will collect food at Kroger Jackson Creek, 1175 S College Mall Road.
• HHFB will be the beneficiary of Bloomingfoods Positive Change program in September – customers can round up or make a donation to the food bank at the register all month.