What started as the Interfaith Community Council way back in 1964, was a collaboration of four New Albany Churches that wanted to provide constructive, after school activities for it’s youth. Today it is known as Hope Southern Indiana (HSI) with a variety of programs meeting the needs of the community. Those include a food pantry, eviction & basic utility disconnection prevention, new clothing for middle and high schoolers and much, much more.
During this crazy time of Covid 19, food pantries have become the salvation for many families. Through generous donations from Cesar’s Hotel and Casino, Kroger, local restaurants, private financial donations and many others, HSI will provide a 5 – 6 day supply of food – 3 meals a day – to nearly double the number of families they usually provide for.
On the day of my visit, I found volunteers hard at work unloading a van full of frozen chicken, stocking shelves with incoming donations and helping families in need by handing out fresh meat, fruit, veggies and canned goods. With Hope Southern Indiana’s initiatives, no family in Floyd County should go hungry.
During normal times, families would have to prove financial hardship, but many families who typically have good jobs, aren’t getting paychecks right now and the belt can’t get much tighter. So until we get back to something like “normal”, people only need to prove they are residents of Floyd County.
“God is Good, through it all He has blessed Hope Southern Indiana. Donations of food are coming in; new volunteers are arriving daily; we have found a new unity within the community; there is no judgement; humble souls continue to visit the food pantry and loving hands are here to serve.”
Angie Graf, Executive director
From March 1 – April 15 they had already served more than 750 families which is a 42% increase over last year for the same period. Fifteen families with 32 children have been placed in hotels due to not being able to pay rent.
Mrs. Graf shared a few, very generous acts of kindness that folks have shown to Hope Southern Indiana in recent weeks:
A community member thanked them for staying open to serve those in need. Along with his letter was a check for $1,200 – his entire stimulus check.
Another donor gave 50% of her stimulus check to her church, the other 50% to HSI. She was on a fixed income and said, “It’s the Lord’s money anyway, so why would I keep it?”
When Ceasar’s shut down, they donated 10,000 pounds of food.
Brown Foreman helped HSI give out 22 tablets to students that did not have access to a computer for E-Learning.
If you would like to find out more about ways you can volunteer or contribute, visit their website: www.hopesi.org or give them a call at 812-948-9248.
**Full Disclosure – I am very happy to say that Angie Graf is my cousin. When she and her older sister, Jackie were just wee little ones, my mom babysat them. I can’t tell you how many times we played “School” or with our “Babies”. She is a wonderful human being and I couldn’t be more proud of the woman she has become.
Spread around some kindness!
Namaste, y’all!
Lori