Some indicators show that the U.S. economy has steadily improved over the last year, with the number of unemployment claims and foreclosures going down.
However, many families are still unable to afford necessities. According to the Interfaith Hunger Initiative, an average of 18,000 people in the Indianapolis area are facing hunger.
Greater requests for aid often places a strain on the limited resources of faith based assistance programs.
“We have witnessed an increase in the homeless population here, and the requests for assistance have more than doubled,” said Leo Stenz, a volunteer coordinator with the Indianapolis branch of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul (SVDP), a Catholic lay organization of volunteers who distribute food and other items to those in need.
Established in Paris in 1833, the SVDP has approximately 900,000 volunteers in 113 countries who serve the homeless and the hungry. In Indianapolis, it is common to see long lines of people waiting to pick up items at the SVDP’s food pantry on East 30th Street. The organization also operates a distribution center near downtown that has items such as appliances, clothing, bed linens, sick room equipment and furniture from donors. Those items are then distributed to people in need at no cost.
The SVDP is among many faith-based groups that have been able to avoid the budget constraints recently faced by some organizations, and continue to comfortably provide much needed services.
Stenz noted that since the SVDP is operated entirely by volunteers, all donations (which are tax deductible) go directly to the poor and overhead costs are kept low.
“We also have a very good network that functions well,” said Stenz. “Another good thing is that there are always people who would like to donate items. The key is to make sure they know that they can make a donation with us.”
Some churches are able to continue helping the less fortunate because they focus on reaching a goal that is simple, yet meets important needs.
Bethel AME Church, for example, provides free lunches every week. Each Tuesday at noon visitors can stop by the church, located near the scenic downtown canal and pick up a lunch complete with a sandwich, drink and side item.
“We are blessed to have dedicated ladies in our church who get the lunches ready,” said Rev. Carey Grady, pastor of Bethel. “We have a lot of homeless people in this area, and they really seem to appreciate just having the lunches.”
Grady noted that Bethel also hosts community dinners during the holidays, and operates a food pantry for families in need throughout the year.
Zion Hope Baptist Church, located on the city’s Eastside, has a ministry designed to encourage people who are not sure where their next meal will come from.
“Jesus gave us a great example of how to bless those in need,” said Pastor Tony McGee of Zion Hope. “In Matthew, he said, ‘ For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in.'”
Zion Hope has the Bread of Life Ministry, which distributes food to families in need from a pantry that is open Wednesday and Thursday. The items can be taken home and prepared.
On Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., however, people can sit down for a prepared meal. At 6:30 p.m., a special prayer is said over all of their needs, followed by a 7 p.m. Bible study.
“Our goal is to not only feed people with physical nourishment, but to also give them spiritual hope in Jesus,” McGee said. “That is where their true nourishment will come from.”
For nearly 20 years Stenz, of the SVDP, has coordinated the organization’s “Beggars for the Poor” initiative, which involves the weekly delivery of food toiletries and clothing to more than 200 individuals who gather near the intersection of New Jersey and Vermont Streets. Doctors with the Gennesaret clinic are also usually on hand to provide free medical services.
He noted that serving those struggling with hunger and homelessness is not only helping those in need, but is also enriching to volunteers.
“It’s a very rewarding experience for the people who work with us,” Stenz said. “We’re trying to help people who often have low self confidence because of their condition. Many of them are military veterans. Seeing the glimmer of hope that comes when we help them is amazing.”
Grady believes that while its great that ministries want to step in and provide assistance, faith leaders can actually go another step.
“Collectively, we can take a greater role in civic, economic and government arena of our communities,” he said. “That way we can look at how to develop some long term solutions to the things that cause poverty and homelessness in the first place.”
