Celebrate Transformation:

Indy Hunger Network

Indy Hunger Network exists to make Central Indiana systems that feed the hungry more efficient and effective. What began as a collaborative initiative responding to the recession in 2009, between Second Helpings, the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office and several organizations serving  Indianapolis communities, launched publicly as a formal non-profit organization in 2012, with funding from a large Lilly Corporation Foundation grant.

The work began by studying the flow of food from the hundreds of independent organizations providing food assistance in Indianapolis, with multiple opportunities for improvement identified.  Through their initial analysis, Indy Hunger Network (IHN)  identified several projects and prioritized them. Since 2012, over 12 projects have been completed with the help of over 15 partner organizations, including Breakfast in the Classroom Guidebook, Fresh Bucks incentive program to encourage SNAP benefit usage for fresh fruits and vegetables, and the Cooking Education Survey.

These early accomplishments led to the Community Compass,  a multi-channel technology tool, accessible via a Smart phone app or through a computer browser, that allows people to quickly find the nearest food pantry, congregant meal site or other food resources, as well as determining eligibility for federal nutrition programs. Initially available only for Indianapolis communities, the tool's database now includes food resources throughout Central Indiana.

Cooking and nutrition education has become a high priority for IHN, with over 150 Cooking Matters courses offered to date in Marion County and expanding the reach outside Marion County through virtual programming. IHN has begun hosting cooking classes at volunteer host sites in Marion County and beyond. Visit their Cooking Matters page for more information on becoming a Cooking Matters Satellite partner.

This year IHN, along with Ascension St. Vincent, has sponsored multiple viewings of the documentary “The Working Hungry”, along with a discussion guide to generate impactful conversations around the problems of and some systemic solutions to food insecurity, particularly among working families and individuals. The documentary can be streamed from the link above. It is a 30 minute film with glimpses at the problem of hunger in Indiana.

Metro Ministries has followed Indy Hunger Network since before the pandemic, and we have seen their ability to pivot in early 2020 from being engaged in studies and in-person forums to leading massive coordination efforts of food distribution and food pantry partnerships during the pandemic, to the launch of Community Compass and their current priorities of providing healthy meal preparation education and support and advocating for systemic solutions to food insecurity. We congratulate them on their successes and are cheering them on as they continue to work with so many collaborative partners to advocate for food security for everyone in Central Indiana and beyond.

Be sure to read next week's Wednesday Words, when we announce the date and venue for Metro's 100th Birthday Party!

Also, we want to hear from you! Please email or call to share your favorite Metro Memories! We plan to collect photos, videos and stories to share throughout the rest of this year, and then with a big SPLASH during the birthday party.

We hope you will join with us in looking back at all that Metro Ministries has accomplished in the last 100 years.

Old Sneakers to Get Rid Of?

The Great Sneaker Recycle is happening at North UMC! Here's a chance to get rid of your old sneakers. North UMC's Green Team will be sending worn sneakers to a sneaker recycling company, with shoes in good shape being resold and proceeds going toward the many outreach ministries of the church.

You may drop off sneakers at North UMC, 3808 N. Meridian Street, between April 23 and April 30. You may also reach out to Metro Ministries.  We would be glad to collect and deliver your old shoes. Just send us an email or give us a call by Friday, April 28.

Annual Conference 2023

Registration for Annual Conference 2023 is now open! It's hard to believe that Annual Conference is just two short months away.

This year's Conference is June 8 - 10, 2023 at Ball State University, Emens Auditorium, 1800 Riverside Ave. in Muncie.

You can find all the information you need and register by clicking HERE. Online registration will close May 24, 2023. Those not registered by then will need to register on-site

Central District Gathering

Save the date: Saturday, August 19, 2023, for The Great ReConnection!

When: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Where: Christ UMC, 8540 S Hwy 31, Indianapolis

All are invited to Christ UMC in Indianapolis for worship, fellowship, learning and information. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Volunteer Opportunities

Society of St. Andrew Indiana is gearing up for gleaning at local Farmers Markets!

Gleaning volunteers are needed weekly at these Indianapolis area locations:

• Original Farmers Market – Wednesdays 1pm – 2pm, downtown Indianapolis
• Garfield Park Farmers Market – Saturdays 12pm – 1pm, south Indianapolis

It only takes about an hour, and is easy and fun.  At the end of the market, volunteers ask vendors if they have anything to donate.  If so, the donations are collected, weighed and recorded, and then delivered to a designated food pantry.  That’s it!

If you are in an organization that could commit to glean one of the markets for several weeks this summer, please email in-glean@endhunger.org. Please check the calendar and sign up. Click here to see the calendar and sign up!

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NeighborLink Indy has begun their season of supporting neighbors by providing volunteer teams to complete various external house and yard projects for Indianapolis homeowners who cannot get these projects completed on their own. To view available projects and sign up, visit www.nlindy.org/volunteering. The available projects list how many volunteers are needed for each project. Individuals or small groups may sign up or a larger group (more than 12) can request a project with a minimum of three months notice. 

 Current Grant Opportunities

Diversity, Missions and Justice Ministries of the INUMC

Ministry with the Poor Grant: Does your ministry have a passion for serving and being in community with the poor? Applications for Ministry with the Poor HERE. This opportunitiy closes April 30.

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) 

Check out current grant opportunities through Central Indiana Community Foundation HERE. These include opportunities for grass roots organizations in Marion and Hamilton counties, as well as throughout Central Indiana with the Elevation Grant program.

Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana

The Lilly Endowment has announced Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative to help advance the academic, physical and social development of Indiana youth. This initiative is offering grant funding on a competitive basis to established youth-serving organizations whose programs further one or more of the following purposes:

• • Enhancing the welfare and safety of youth.
  • Identifying and addressing the social and emotional needs of youth.
  • Delivering educational experiences for youth that supplement classroom learning.
  • Developing character traits and leadership skills in youth.
  • Providing safe and enriching out-of-school time learning environments for youth

Visit lillyendowment.org for full details of this initiative, including eligibility requirments and the applicaiton process.

The Lilly Endowment has provided grant funding to Indiana Youth Institute to provide data, training, consultation and other resources that are specific to the SYPI initiatives. Learn more and request information at iyi.org.

Church & Ministries

Job Opportunities

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As was announced earlier today, Metro Ministries is seeking individuals interested in the role of Executive Director. The job posting may be downloaded HERE. Resumes should be sent to metroministriesexecteam@gmail.com.

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Part-time Director fo Youth Ministry

Avon UMC is seeking a part-time Director of Youth Ministry. To express interest and to gain further details regarding this position, contact Pastor Danny Walker at DannyWalker@avonumc.com.

Part-time Choir Director

Avon UMC is seeking a part-time Choir Director. To express interest and to gain further details regarding this position, contact Kerry Locke at jlocke4@indy.rr.com.

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Mohawk UMC Church Accompanist

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East 10th Children & Youth Center

East Tenth United Methodist Children & Youth Center is now hiring Full-Time Early Childhood Educators! We are an Early Head Start Child Care Partner and a Level 4 Paths to Quality Provider on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis seeking passionate and energetic educators with strong communication skills to join our team. They are also seeking Summer Camp Counselors. Apply online at www.east10th.org/careers.

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Society of St. Andrew is seeking a Gleaning Coordinator VISTA. This is a one-year VISTA assignment and requires someone who is passionate about food access, agriculture and food waste, who is engaging and demonstrates compassion for others. This role will allow the opportunity to grow as a leader, network with farmers, volunteers and hunger relief agencies, engage in non-profit fundraising and explore educational avenues within various communities. The position also offers: camaraderie with several other VISTAs serving under the Indy Hunger Network umbrella, team engagement activities, including bi-weekly meetings to discuss projects, socialize, and hear from guest presenters, mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and professional development trainings.

Click  HERE for more information on becoming a VISTA member.

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Christ UMC:

Director of Family and Children's Ministries and Witness

A Regular Full-time Exempt ministry position for a person gifted and equipped to direct/lead  educational ministries for all ages as well as guiding Witness Ministries giving attention to  developing and strengthening evangelistic efforts for the sharing of personal and  congregational stories of Christian experience, faith, and service. This person should evidence  Christian maturity and competence in resourcing and equipping the educational ministries of  the church for discipleship and mission (Ephesians 4:15-16). Job descriptioni and application link are HERE.

Facility Custodian

A position with direct and shared responsibility for the general cleaning and light maintenance of the church interior and the CUMC Preschool, apply HERE.

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