Hoosier Hills Food Bank represents a six county service area that includes some of the poorest counties in Indiana by multiple standards. Over 2 million pounds of food moved through our warehouse in 2007, and over 22 million pounds have been distributed since 1982. Our agencies report an increasing demand for food resources, including 30% increases over 2005 for two of our largest food pantries. A small staff, hundreds of volunteers, food and financial donors, and our more than 85 partner agencies

Who We Are Staff and Board members

FAQ's  Find the answers to questions like "what's a food bank?" and "how are you funded?" and more.

Directions to HHFB

How you can help... Volunteer....Donate....Advocate

Special Events Check out our annual Special Events and how you can help.

News from HHFB  Read about our 25th Anniversary and the 25 for 25 campaign!

Helpful Links

Our Programs

HHFB picks up donated food, groceries, and prepared food on a daily basis and brings it back it to our warehouse. Donations come from retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, individuals and group food drives. Each week, a small staff and many generous volunteers are able to make over 30,000 pounds of food available to over 80 non-profit feeding organizations. These agencies collectively feed more than 25,000 individuals each year.

Meal Share

A food rescue program that acquires prepared but un-served food from local restaurants and food service businesses each day. This food is repackaged into family-size portions by volunteers, frozen, and then made available to local and rural feeding agencies who disburse the repackaged food to those who need it most. 

The Emergency Food Assistance Program

The TEFAP program increases HHFB’s capacity to supply those most in need with healthy food.  Food is supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and distributed to food pantries and soup kitchens in 9 counties. In 2005, HHFB distributed 533,272 pounds of USDA food through TEFAP.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

The CSFP program provides monthly food boxes directly to over 500 low-income seniors in three poor, rural counties in the HHFB service area.  Boxes will generally include approximately 40lbs of high protein items, grains, vegetables, juices, canned meat or peanut butter, powdered or evaporated milk, a 2lb block of cheese, recipes, and nutrition information. 

Plant-a-Row

Plant-a-Row for the Hungry (PAR) is rooted in the gardeners’ tradition of sharing bountiful harvests with others. The plan is simple—we ask you to plant an additional row in your garden and deliver the harvest to a drop-off point near you. The Hoosier Hills Food Bank (HHFB) will pick up the food for distribution to its local network of over 80 member agencies. PAR partners: Bloomingfoods, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, and Worm's Way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Food Bank?

A food bank rescues damaged 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 on food drives, and being the primary contact to deal with food manufacturers and distributors, gleaning products in quantities that would overwhelm most individual charities. Food banks then make their collected inventory available to local hunger-related charities. 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 America's Second Harvest--The Nation's Food Bank network.

Where do we get our 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 100 annual food drives.

Additional information for food donors.

Who do we serve?

HHFB makes food donations available to over 80 non-profit organizations including emergency food pantries, daycare centers serving low-income children, youth programs, shelters, residential homes and soup kitchens. These agencies collectively serve an estimated 20,000 hungry people each month. Individuals seeking food assistance should visit our Finding Food page.  Learn more about hunger and how it affects people locally, regionally, and nationwide. 

Map of service area

Does HHFB sell food?

No. The food we receive from donors is made available to our member agencies, who then distribute it to the needy free of charge. Member agencies are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations whose facilities have met national standards for food distribution set by America's Second Harvest.

Our member agencies pay a small shared maintenance fee for the food they receive from Hoosier Hills Food Bank. This helps us pay for our overhead costs, transportation expenses, and the many other costs involved in running an organization that moves over 2 million pounds of food over a six county service area. The shared maintenance fee means that agencies can get much more food for their money at the food bank rather than at the supermarket.

How are we funded?

HHFB receives funds from United Way, various grants, special fundraising events and generous individual and corporate donors.  An investment of just $1 is enough to help HHFB distribute 5 meals to the hungry families and individuals in our community.  Click here to donate.

Want a hard copy of our Annual Report?  Contact us at hhfb@hhfoodbank.org with your mailing address and we will send it to you.

When is the food bank open?

The HHFB office is open Monday-Friday, 9-5 pm. Donations can be dropped off any time during these hours. See the Member Agency page to see our shopping hours. If you need to visit the Hoosier Hills Food Bank outside of those hours, please contact us to set up a time (812-334-8374 or hhfb@hhfoodbank.org).

If you have more specific questions about HHFB, what we do, or who we serve send an email to hhfb@hhfoodbank.org.

Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization and was incorporated in 1982. We can be reached at (812) 334-8374 or hhfb@hhfoodbank.org.