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Last year, in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were . That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an .

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Indianapolis using data from . Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Regional Director-Indianapolis and Indiana
- Organization: CitiIMPACT
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Food Distribution Volunteers
- Organization: SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
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Food Pantry Helpers
- Organization: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocesan Council of Indianapolis
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Board Member
- Organization: Soul Food Project, Inc
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Provide food assistance to neighbors visiting our client choice pantry
- Organization: HUNGER INC
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Daily Delivery Volunteer
- Organization: MEALS ON WHEELS OF CENTRAL INDIANA
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Help Us in our Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen!
- Organization: Westminister Neighborhood Services
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LEAD VOLUNTEER
- Organization: Midwest Food Bank-Indiana
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Sharing Place Food Pantry Volunteer - Wednesday
- Organization: Lutheran Child and Family Services
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SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: Social Media Manager / Donor Solicitor for a Nonprofit Organization
- Organization: Idealist.org
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Help feed a hungry neighbor - volunteer at Gleaners food pantry!
- Organization: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
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Driving Compassion - Deliver Meals
- Organization: Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County, Inc.
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Food Pantry and Thrift Store assistance.
- Organization: St,. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry Noblesville
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Help a Neighbor in Lebanon Homemade Meal
- Organization: Lasagna Love
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This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.