HHFB Hits 100 Million Pound Milestone In Advance of Kids & Seniors Distribution

Hoosier Hills Food Bank passed a major landmark today, having now distributed over 100 million pounds of food during its history.  The organization reached the milestone on Wednesday, June 25 as it is gearing up for a special food distribution for children and seniors on June 27.
 
Founded in 1982, HHFB entered 2025 having distributed 97,689,423 pounds of food over 42 years.  Through June 27, the food bank has distributed 2,328,492 pounds of food, bringing its overall total to 100,017,915 pounds.
 
“I’m not sure our founders could have imagined 100 million pounds of food going through our doors back in 1982, and while I’m sure they’d be saddened that food insecurity and food waste are still such prevalent problems, they would be relieved to know that we are still here to support people facing hunger,” said HHFB Executive Director Julio Alonso.
 
“This is a difficult time.  Food insecurity is at the highest level in nearly a decade and public support is being scaled back with unprecedented cuts to food assistance and health care access being contemplated.  Non-profit organizations and private donors have to step up to avoid a potential hunger crisis. We intend to continue doing our part as long as we have the support to do so.”

Friday’s distribution, focused on children and seniors facing food insecurity this summer due to high grocery costs and the loss of Sun Bucks SNAP benefits, is intended to provide families with a little more than a week’s worth of groceries tailored to each population and including fresh items such as meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables as well as non-perishables like 100% juice boxes or low-sodium canned goods.
 
Due in part to the loss of federal commodities and decreased purchasing power, HHFB’s current 2,328,492 pound distribution level is 8% behind 2024’s mark for the same time period.  Yet, in a recent survey, 48% of the food bank’s partner agencies reported that they were serving more people than last year and 45% said their numbers served were still increasing.
 
HHFB distributes nearly 5.8 million pounds of food annually through over 80 partner agencies and a dozen monthly direct distribution programs serving people in need in Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin and Monroe counties.