Need help with food? Food Bank sets mobile pantries across the South Bend area for October

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 5:57 GMT by South Bend Tribune

Food Bank of Northern Indiana Expands Reach with New Mobile Pantries for October

By [Your Name] – South Bend Tribune, October 1, 2025

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana (FBNI) has rolled out a fresh wave of mobile pantries across the region for the month of October, bolstering the county’s capacity to help families meet their basic food needs ahead of the holiday season. According to the Food Bank’s announcement on Tuesday, the mobile pantries will serve a network of community partners—including churches, schools, and senior centers—in nine counties throughout northern Indiana. The move comes as the Food Bank reports a steady increase in demand for groceries amid ongoing economic pressures.

Expanding Geographic Coverage

The October mobile pantry schedule includes the following stops:

“We’re thrilled to bring the pantry to these diverse community spaces,” said FBNI Executive Director Carla Thompson in a statement. “By partnering with local institutions, we can reach families who may not otherwise have easy access to fresh, nutritious food.”

The Food Bank’s mobile pantry vans are equipped with refrigeration units, shelving for canned goods, and a rotating selection of fresh produce. Each location will operate for a full day, with open hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will greet customers, answer questions, and assist with bagging groceries. The Food Bank has requested the help of at least 50 volunteers across the region to staff the mobile pantries; applications can be submitted online via the Food Bank’s volunteer portal.

A Response to Rising Food Insecurity

According to the Food Bank’s most recent Food Insecurity Survey, 18 % of households in the service area reported a “food gap” in the last month, a figure that has risen 4 % from the previous year. The organization cites stagnant wages, high housing costs, and the lingering effects of the pandemic as key drivers of increased demand.

“We’ve seen an uptick in the number of families that are pulling multiple bank accounts to get groceries,” Thompson said. “The mobile pantry is a direct response to those families who might have to travel far—sometimes over an hour—to a static food pantry.”

The Food Bank’s online Impact Report (linked in the article) highlights that the organization distributes approximately 2.4 million pounds of food annually. In addition to pantry items, the Food Bank partners with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Distribution Center to provide fresh produce, dairy, and protein sources to underserved communities.

Community Partners and Collaboration

A significant portion of the article emphasizes how local institutions are helping to amplify the Food Bank’s reach. For instance, the partnership with St. Mary’s Catholic Church is part of a broader collaboration that includes:

• St. Mary’s Food Drive: A month-long collection event that raised $5,200 in cash and $7,500 in non‑perishable items.
• Youth Outreach Program: High school volunteers from St. Mary’s are scheduled to assist with food sorting and distribution on October 4.

In Elkhart, the Food Bank is collaborating with Elkhart Public Schools to set up a “Lunch & Learn” session at the high school. This initiative will feature a nutrition educator from the Food Bank’s Nutrition Education Program, offering families information on how to prepare budget‑friendly, healthy meals.

The article also links to a local Elkhart Journal piece that details how the city council allocated a $15,000 grant to the Food Bank for the purchase of additional refrigeration units—an essential upgrade for preserving fresh produce in the mobile vans.

How to Get Involved

The Food Bank’s call to action is clear: volunteers, donors, and local businesses can all play a role. The article provides direct links to:

• Volunteer Sign‑Up: The Food Bank’s volunteer portal allows individuals to register for specific dates and locations. The portal also lists training requirements and schedules.
• Online Giving: A dedicated donation page accepts one‑time or recurring contributions. Notably, a $50 donation grants donors a “Food Bank Ambassador” badge and a personal thank‑you letter from a recipient.
• Community Food Drives: The Food Bank’s Food Drive Calendar lists upcoming local events, including the St. Mary’s Food Drive and the Elkhart School lunch program.

“Every donation—whether it’s time, money, or food—helps us keep our community nourished,” Thompson said. “We’re grateful for the generosity of local businesses, faith-based organizations, and residents.”

Looking Ahead

Beyond October, the Food Bank plans to extend its mobile pantry network into November, with additional stops in LaPorte and Porter counties. The organization is also testing a pilot program that will involve a partnership with a regional grocery chain to accept food vouchers for online delivery—a potential solution for families who cannot travel to a mobile pantry.

“We’re building a model of partnership that can be replicated across the Midwest,” Thompson concluded. “If we can show that mobile pantries are effective, we can secure more funding and expand our reach even further.”

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana’s initiative underscores the power of community collaboration in addressing food insecurity. As the holiday season approaches, the mobile pantries will serve as a vital lifeline for families in need, offering not just food, but hope and connection to the larger North Indiana community.