About The Food Bank

Hunger is a story we can end.

In May 1993, United Religious Community of St. Joseph County’s Hunger Education Task Force accepted the challenge of reestablishing food banking services in north central Indiana.  That July, an organizing committee brought together the first board of directors that agreed that the North Central Indiana Food Bank would be the organization of record created to address local problems of hunger and malnutrition by providing quality food to participating social service agencies.

The North Central Indiana Food Bank began operations as a SDO (Subsidiary Distribution Organization) of Gleaners Food Bank of Indianapolis.  Our first distribution of 6,800 pounds was made in December 1993 to 29 agencies.

As our member agencies and donor base grew, we became self-sufficient and large enough to be considered for national certification.  In February 1996, we became a certified food bank of the America’s Second Harvest National Food Bank network. As a member of America’s Second Harvest, we received offerings of donated product, with allotments based on the poverty population within our service area.

In July 2000, we purchased our location on Chapin Street in downtown South Bend, an 82,000-square-foot facility, to ensure adequate storage to meet the rising demand for food in northern Indiana.

In 2006, our organization’s name was changed to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana serving Elkhart, LaPorte, Kosciusko, Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph Counties.  In 2008, America’s Second Harvest changed its name to Feeding America, representing what their member food banks do each day.

Today, the Food Bank actively partners with local and national manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, food growers, packers and brokers to procure food.

In addition, businesses, organizations and individuals conduct food and funds drives.  We are extremely grateful for the financial support we receive from corporations, foundations, organizations and individuals like you.

In 2025,  the Food Bank of Northern Indiana distributed 11,208,089 million pounds of food to its network of 119 partiner agencies in its six-county service area.

Feeding America

Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America® unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation’s most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today—and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors.  We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more. Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 6.6 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.