On Thursday, December 12, the Strack and Van Til team joined together to pack 2,000 Christmas dinners to donate to the Foodbank of Northwest Indiana to be distributed through their Pantry Partners in Lake and Porter Counties.
Larry Moore, senior director of operations, has volunteered for this occasion several times before and cherishes the memories each time.
“We’re in the grocery industry, and we feed people,” said Moore. "We must reach out to the community, especially those who are underprivileged. The community supports us every day, every year. This event is about the people and addressing food shortages and meals. We feel it’s important to give back.”
“We put together a complete holiday meal for families, including ham, potatoes, pineapple, gravy, stuffing, and everything needed for a full meal so they can enjoy the holiday,” said Moore. “We’ve been doing this for years, not just during the holidays but throughout the year.”
Amy S. Briseño, vice president of development and communications for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, praised Strack & Van Til’s volunteer efforts and highlighted their importance. “Strack & Van Til is our annual premier partner,” said Briseño. "Not only do they rally these teams of employees to pack meals at the facility, they also lead a fundraising campaign through their Checkout Challenge.”
The Checkout Challenge is an ongoing initiative at Strack & Van Til stores, where cashiers invite customers to round up their purchases, and the spare change goes directly to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. This campaign has proven the power of small donations from everyday transactions can add up to a significant contribution toward fighting hunger across the Region.
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana serves more than 100,000 residents every year through mobile markets, senior hunger relief programs, and partnerships with local agencies. For each dollar donated, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana can provide up to three meals for those in need, making volunteer events a critical part of its ability to serve the community.
