Who We Are

Hoosier Hills Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides over three million pounds of food annually to nearly 100 other non-profits serving people with low incomes and personal challenges, children and seniors. HHFB member agencies serve an estimated 7,500 people each week and 25,800 individuals annually. We distribute food in eight Indiana counties including our six county Feeding America service area which covers Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin, and Monroe counties. We also distribute federal commodities in Crawford and Washington counties. A small staff and hundreds of volunteers and food and financial donors have distributed over 30 million pounds of food since 1982.

(map of service area)

(annual report 2010) Want a hard copy of our Annual Report? Contact us at julio@hhfoodbank.org with your mailing address and we will send it to you.

(2011 990)

History

Hoosier Hills Food Bank was founded in November 1982 in Bloomington, Indiana. The food banking concept was catching on across the country at that time, and a small group of volunteers in Bloomington recognized that food was going to waste and people were going hungry. In our first full year of operation, 81,000 pounds of food were distributed. HHFB has outgrown several warehouses since then and distributed over 3.2 million pounds of food in 2010. While paid staff, programs and food sources have grown and developed over the years, volunteers and grass roots methods remain the core of HHFB's support – over 1,700 individuals donated their time last year and over 350 food donors provided product.

For many years, HHFB operated as a subsidiary distribution organization of Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis in order to obtain additional donated food. In the mid 1990's we became a full-fledged, independent affiliate of America's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network, which in 2008 became Feeding America.

Over the years, HHFB has added innovative programs including the Meal Share prepared food rescue program, the Families First Mobile Pantry, the food purchase program, and the Garden and Gleaning programs.

FAQ

Where are you located?
HHFB is located at 2333 West Industrial Park Drive in Bloomington, Indiana.
What are your hours?
Regular office hours and donation acceptance hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Agency food pick-up hours are Monday 9:30am-4:30pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30am-12:30pm, and by appointment. Receiving hours for truck deliveries are 9:30am-3pm.
What is a food bank?
A food bank rescues food that might otherwise be wasted and then channels that food to those in need. Food banks are the main collectors of donated food in a community, working with both individuals and community groups of food drives, and being the primary contact to deal with food manufacturers and distributors, gleaning products in quantities that would overwhelm most individual organizations. Food banks then make their collected inventory available to local hunger-related nonprofits. HHFB also works to educate the community about hunger and poverty issues and advocate for the hungry with local and national lawmakers. HHFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network.
Where does the food bank get food?
Grocery stores, food distributors, food service establishments and restaurants donate excess, damaged or unmarketable food that might be wasted otherwise. Community organizations, school classrooms, local churches and individuals help keep warehouse inventory stocked through numerous food drives. Food banks have also adapted to the times and to changes in the food industry that have resulted in less donated food being available. Most have developed additional sources of food including direct food purchase programs and partnerships with farmers and gardeners.
Who does the food bank serve?
HHFB makes food donations available to nearly 100 nonprofit organizations including emergency food pantries, daycare centers serving low-income children, youth programs, shelters, residential homes and soup kitchens. These agencies collectively serve 25,800 people each year. Individuals seeking food assistance should visit Finding Food.
Do clients pay for food?
No. The food we receive from donors is made available to our member agencies who then distribute it to those in need free of charge. Member agencies are 501(c)(3) non-profits who have met standards established by the federal government, Feeding America and HHFB. About 60% of the food distributed to agencies carries no cost. However, agencies do pay a small shared maintenance contribution of 14 cents per pound for about 40% of the food they obtain from HHFB. This helps us pay for our transportation expenses and overhead costs of maintaining a facility and fleet to distribute over 3 million pounds of food. While Feeding America and the I.R.S. allow food banks to charge a maximum of 19 cents per pound, and most food banks do, HHFB's shared maintenance contribution of 14 cents has not increased in well over a decade. Clients never pay for food that has come from the food bank.
How is the food bank funded?
Over 1,100 private donors contributed the bulk of the food bank's support in 2009. In addition, HHFB receives funds through United Way, various grants, local and federal government sources, community fundraising including special events and shared maintenance contributions from agencies. We strive to maintain a diverse funding base so that we are not overly dependent on any one source of support.

If you have more specific questions about HHFB, send an email to hhfb@hhfoodbank.org.

Statement of Values

Hoosier Hills Food Bank is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the elimination of hunger in south central Indiana. Our values, consistent with that purpose include:

Adopted by Board of Directors April 19, 2010.

Staff

Hoosier Hills Food Bank's staff consists of eight full-time and four part-time employees and is supplemented by interns and work-study students from Indiana University.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed entirely of volunteers and represents many sectors of the community. These individuals use their expertise and experience to provide HHFB with governance, policy direction and strategic planning.

Affiliations listed for identification purposes only.

If you are interested in contacting any of the HHFB Board Members or becoming a Board Member, send an e-mail to julio@hhfoodbank.org and we will forward the message on to the intended recipient.

Member Agencies

Member Agency Page