April 25, 2020

Media Press Availability: President / CEO of Faith Hope and Love Merlin Gonzales, 463-210-4612 merlin@fhlinternational.org

Food insecurity in Indy is getting worse due to a variety of factors driven by Covid-19.

Indianapolis, IN, (April 25, 2020) — Private industry is stepping up in a big way to support an innovative drive-thru food distribution strategy on the northeast side of Marion County. A missional food pantry operated by Faith Hope and Love Community will open inside the recently closed Starbucks at 82nd and Craig Street to deliver much-needed food in a highly efficient and extremely safe manner amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, May 1, hundreds of BBQ sandwiches, chips, and drinks will be given free to the public to celebrate the pre-Grand Opening.

“This is a very vulnerable time for many people in our community. They are afraid and families are hungry. Food Insecurity locally is real. With the help from the private sector, like Starbucks, McFarland Foods, and Mr. Quik, we are going to do our part to serve families with food and hope,” said Merlin Gonzales, President, Faith Hope and Love Community

The recently closed Starbucks location in Castleton will serve hundreds of families with healthy food and personal hygiene products. The Faith Hope and Love Community team is gearing up to launch the opening of the pantry within the next 2 weeks and they need central Indiana’s to launch this important initiative. Anyone may provide cash donations, food, and grocery items, equipment, or even volunteer, to make this happen.

Cash donations may be made at:

https://www.fhlcommunity.org/modified-missional-food-pantry-drive-through/  OR Mail to 1100 W. 42nd St. Ste365, Indianapolis, IN 46208

Faith Hope and Love Community aims to be a catalyst for change by engaging in relationships with food insecure neighbors on their path to self-sufficiency through missional food pantry training. It is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to help eradicate food insecurity, end hunger,

and leverage the power of food to build healthy communities.