This summer, Indy Hunger Network releases its annual hunger study. Traditionally measuring the rates of food insecurity in Marion County, CICF funded an expansion this year to add eight additional Central Indiana counties (Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Morgan and Shelby).
To accompany the study’s release, communities throughout Central Indiana are hosting panel discussions and screenings of the widely-hailed mini-documentary Food, Insecure, an examination of working Hoosiers’ access to healthy food. The 30-minute film packs in eye-opening testimony and outlines proven methods of relief.
On April 15th, Wayne Township Education Foundation invited community members to a screening of the film followed by discussion with community and regional voices, including CICF’s Chief Innovation Officer Jeff Bennett.
“One thing we can do,” he said at the event, “is listen to people experiencing challenges interrelated with poverty, then crafting a response that meets those specific needs.” In the film, the example cited is one employer’s response to the “benefits cliff”. After learning his employees would lose out on critical benefits with a raise, he instead provided free bus passes—permitting employees to divert this daily cost toward other basic needs.
“Solving hunger solves so many other problems,” Bennett said. “Healthier people have lower insurance premiums, better job performance and more success in school.”
In 2023, the end of pandemic-related food benefits preceded large increases to food instability the following year. This year has so far been marked by economic upheaval combined with a slew of proposed cuts to federal funding at the USDA, likely impacting school meal programs and food pantries across Indiana. With rates of hunger growing at a moment of shrinking government resources, communities must provide solutions.
If you would like assistance organizing a screening of Food, Insecure and/or panel discussion, please contact us.
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