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Indiana food banks are reporting growing concerns as food insecurity reaches its highest level in a decade, and a new nationwide study called Elevating Voices highlights the struggles faced by families, including many in the Hoosier State.
Jessica Murphy, development director for the Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, said the report is based on surveys of people who directly experienced hunger.
“Elevating Voices is a survey that talks to people who have experienced food insecurity directly,” she said, “or have just received food from a charitable organization sometime over the last two years.”
While the findings point to persistent challenges, supporters of food assistance say federal and state programs such as SNAP and USDA food distribution continue to provide vital help to families. Critics argue the system relies too heavily on emergency relief and does not address the root causes of poverty.
Murphy said her team responds by expanding outreach.
“We do all we can to close the gap of people needing more food and not having the resources to get it,” she said. “So, we’re going into some of our rural communities, some of our food deserts, and we’re setting up mobile pantries.”
The Elevating Voices report comes as September marks Hunger Action Month in Indiana. Feeding Indiana’s Hungry helped shape the national report.
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