Second Helpings

Second Helpings is a nonprofit hunger relief and workforce development organization serving Central Indiana. Each day, our team rescues thousands of pounds of wholesome, perishable food that would otherwise go to waste. This food is transformed into more than 5,500 freshly prepared meals and distributed, at no cost, to over 160 partner agencies, including shelters, youth programs, and senior centers.

But we don’t stop there. Our free, seven-week Culinary Job Training program equips unemployed and underemployed adults with the skills and certifications they need to build stable careers in the food service industry. With more than 1,000 graduates to date, this program is a proven pathway to employment, self-sufficiency, and long-term success.

Funding Needs:

Our top funding priority is annual operating support. These core dollars make our work possible by covering the day-to-day costs of preparing and delivering meals, transporting food, supporting job training students, and maintaining the kitchen, vehicles, and staff infrastructure that power our mission.

Operating support allows us to remain responsive, grow our impact, and continue meeting the rising demand for both meals and workforce development.

Every $1.67 donated provides a complete, nutritious meal. A $250 gift supplies one Culinary Job Training student with uniforms, tools, and textbooks. Unrestricted gifts fuel every part of Second Helpings’ mission—rescuing food, feeding our neighbors, and helping people build brighter futures.