INDIANAPOLIS — The Office of Public Health and Safety has partnered with Second Helpings, along with Pacers Sports and Entertainment and a network of service providers, to provide and deliver boxed meals to Indianapolis residents experiencing homelessness. This service is essential during the current COVID-19 crisis as public health orders have required the closure of many meal sites that gather large numbers of people together, leaving many Indianapolis residents experiencing homelessness with fewer food options.
Second Helpings will be providing more than 1,600 meals a week for the next few weeks to those who are unsheltered in encampments. Pacers Sports and Entertainment has made Bankers Life Fieldhouse’s refrigeration facilities available free of charge for temporary storage of the prepared meals. Service providers from the Professional Blended Street Outreach (PBSO) teams and the PourHouse then pick up the meals for runs to small groups of individuals in encampments around the city. The PBSO is a network devoted to homeless outreach, which is coordinated by Horizon House and includes the IMPD’s homeless outreach unit; team members provide services and supplies to homeless residents, as well as conducting regular wellness check-ins.
Residents and affected workers impacted by COVID-19 restrictions should visit the city’s resource guide, which can be viewed at indy.gov/covid. Spanish speaking residents can view the resource guide here. Individuals who are unable to navigate the city’s website can call 317-327-4MAC between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to talk to a customer service representative.