Schools, libraries and other community partners are stepping up to gather or provide food or connect people facing financial struggles with resources.
Some efforts are new, and some seasonal food drives are resuming as the holidays approach.
Community contributions are welcome for various projects across Wayne County.
Thanksgiving dinner returns
A Richmond congregation has agreed to prepare and deliver 300 meals on Thanksgiving Day after another provider’s longstanding tradition was paused.
After hearing Circle U Help Center wouldn’t be able to deliver meals this year on the holiday, First English Lutheran Church leaders decided to help at a level they felt they could realistically handle.
Carol Brady, FELC’s co-servant corps coordinator, said church members knew how important it was for at least some meals to be served, and they are happy to fill at least part of the gap.
To sign up to receive a meal, up to six per household, residents should call 765-962-5773 by Nov. 21 and leave a voicemail with their full name, address, phone number and number of meals requested. As of press time about 100 meals are already reserved for seniors and people with disabilities.
A Richmond restaurant has agreed to cook turkeys, and additional partnerships are being arranged for side dishes. Meals will be assembled and delivered from the church. People interested in volunteering on Thanksgiving Day should email lpickett@felconline.org.
READ: The Nov. 5 Western Wayne News contained a list of area resources and projects, and maintains a longer directory of health and support resources.
Nettle Creek Schools
Superintendent Emily Schaeffer said 107 weekend backpacks have been sent home over the past four weeks to ensure students have food when school is out.
“When students’ basic needs are met, they can come to school focused, ready to learn, with better attendance and more positive interactions with their peers,” Schaeffer said.
Nettle Creek is currently providing food to as many as 40 students every weekend. Each bag costs approximately $15 per student each week.
Administration office staff sort, bag and deliver the food, and the district’s counselors, front office staff and Centerstone employees connect students with resources.
Schaeffer thanked the community for its continued support because the donation table is empty on Mondays but fills by Thursdays.
In addition to food donations to finish the school year, Schaeffer said winter jackets in all sizes are currently needed. On Nov. 4, Schaeffer said Nettle Creek was able to buy 21 new jackets to distribute immediately, thanks to one family’s donation.
For more information, call 765-489-4543 or send donations to the administration office, 297 E. Northmarket St., Hagerstown, IN 47346.
Baby formula donation drive
Richmond Community Schools and Early Head Start are collecting baby formula donations to support families until SNAP funding is restored.
Donations may be made through Nov. 13 and again Nov. 17-20 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Early Head Start, 1900 South L Street, Richmond. The most requested kind of formula is Enfamil NeuroPro.
People in need of formula can bring their SNAP EBT cards and proof of Wayne County residence to the same Early Head Start location Nov. 14 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, call 765-935-3509.
Hagerstown Library
Library staff have added a few free food items to its free book-sharing box outside the building at 10 W. College St., Hagerstown. Food items are available to anyone in need.
In addition, library staff maintain a snack cart inside the library. Anyone is welcome to take a snack and a bottle of water. The library opens at 10 a.m. Monday-Saturdays and closes at 6 p.m. except Wednesdays (3 p.m.) and Saturdays (2 p.m.)
For more information, call 765-489-5632.
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Richmond food drive
The Richmond Community Food Pantry is holding a food drive on Friday, Nov. 14, from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. at Walmart, 3601 East Main Street, Richmond.
Nonperishable food items and donations will be used to replenish supplies. The organization says demand continues to increase.
Family Resource Center
Staff at Family Resource Center of Wayne County say they don’t have funding to cover missing SNAP payments, and are referring callers to other community resources.
They will continue to offer free take-and-make meal ingredients, hygiene and child safety items while supplies last at 714 N. 12th St. Richmond.
Normal hours are noon-5 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays and noon-5:30 p.m. Thursdays, with appointments available on Fridays.
FRC also offers ongoing other health and support programming.
Those who attend a “Food is Art” program at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, can receive a slow cooker and ingredients. Seats are limited and must be reserved at 765-935-6349.
While supplies last, a grab-and-go giveaway of Thanksgiving side dish ingredients is planned between 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, and snacks, crafts and a pie walk will be offered from 5-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24.
For more information, visit strengtheninginfamilies.org/frc/wayne/.
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Turkey giveaway
New Deliverance Temple Ministries in Richmond has announced a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 22.
It will be a drive-thru giveaway on church grounds, 1403 S. Ninth St., Richmond, while supplies last.
For more information, call 765-967-1752.
Meanwhile, nearly all of the 100 turkey baskets Rock Solid Ministries plans to give away were registered for on the first day of signups. Final signups were to take place from 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 11 at 1024 E. Main St., Richmond.
Centerville drive
Centerville Senior High School’s annual canned food drive will take place Nov. 10-21. Students are collecting canned items and financial contributions.
All items will go to Centerville police and fire departments for home deliveries before Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For more information, call the school at 765-855-3481 or the fire department’s nonemergency line at 765-855-3889.
Northeastern drive
Northeastern Wayne Schools are coordinating a food drive to support the district’s families in need. They’re gathering holiday dinner staples and breakfast and snack items.
Teaching teams are collecting particular foods that are due Nov. 18, and the team collecting the most wins doughnuts. Call 765-847-2821 for more information.
Gateway update
Gateway Hunger Relief Center announced Nov. 4 it had provided food boxes to 286 families that day. Leaders began seeing increased demand for groceries in October, when the pantry served 3,500 families.
Its social media post noted that “In these challenging times, every dollar counts and every helping hand matters.”
Gateway offers free groceries while supplies last from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Fridays at 715 Sheridan St., Richmond.
Because of the pause in SNAP benefits, clients can now visit once a week.
For more information, call 765-939-7100 or visit gatewayhungerrelief.org.
Morrisson-Reeves Library
Library staff welcome donations of nonperishable food for Community Food Pantry through November and December.
Items can be placed in a box inside the library starting at 9:30 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays. The library closes at 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 6 p.m. Fridays and 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Donations will be delivered weekly to Community Food Pantry, 306 N. 19th St., Richmond. The pantry is open from 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.
211 resource list/United Way
The U.S. 211 network is implementing a new initiative to help connect people with food.
Residents can continue dialing 211 to be connected with community resources to help pay for food, utilities, housing and healthcare or to support caregivers. However, some might prefer using a new online program.
Tamara Brinkman, president of Richmond-based United Way Whitewater Valley, said United Way Worldwide has collaborated with the 211 network to add a Food Resource Finder on 211.org. Those needing food can search their ZIP code to identify food assistance in their community.
United Way supports organizations that improve early childhood learning, youth opportunities, financial security and health for residents of Wayne and Union counties.
Contributions can be made online at givetheunitedway.com, via mail to 129 S. Ninth St., Richmond, IN 47374; or by texting UNITED2025 to 41444. For more information, call 765-962-2700.
Henry Community Health
The New Castle-based health care provider has created a community resources guide listing food pantries, free community meals, homebound meal deliveries, township trustees, housing, transportation and other services.
Most organizations listed are focused on serving Henry County residents, but a few are state or federal offices.
That guide is available at wwn.to/henrycountyresources.
For more information, call 765-521-0890.
December giveaway
LifeSpring Church will give away 600 food boxes from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, while supplies last at 501 S. Seventh St. in Richmond. For more information, call 65-765-488-0662.
Send information about upcoming collections, giveaways or other social services to contact@westernwaynenews.com for publication consideration.
A version of this article appeared in the November 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.