A “marathon” that fields no competitors, covers no miles, and has no finish line may not immediately seem like a candidate for success, but organizers of the the Million Meal Marathon say it is achieving exactly what they envisioned.

The Marathon is the signature event of the Million Meal Movement. Hintz co-founded the movement in 2007 with her husband, Dan.

The next Marathon is Feb. 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

If you volunteer, you will become part of a high-speed assembly line known as the “Helping Hands.” The work is straightforward: Measure and pour four specific ingredients into a funnel, filling a bag that will go to someone who is hungry around the state. The combination of soy, rice, dried vegetables, and vitamin mix fan fully feed a family.

The Marathon can always use extra Helping Hands and currently is thin on volunteers later in the early evening shifts. To sign up, click here.

If you’d prefer to donate, each $1 donated can provide two family meals.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The owner of sMall Town Produce, Thomas Loudermilk, joined us to share how he provides fresh, locally grown produce to Hoosiers at his stand near the Greenwood Park Mall.

Loudermilk is a third generation farmer. His father raised him to grow produce, livestock, and hay. He began his farm in response to wanting to help his community, trying to help food insecurities.

A portion of the produce made at sMall Town Produce is donated to organizations around Indy.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If your grocery trips are starting to feel more expensive, but your bags are getting lighter, you’re not alone. Shrinkflation is when companies reduce the size of their products but keep prices the same. Director of Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability at Purdue University, Joe Balagtas, shared insights on how consumers can fight against this growing trend.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Indiana University Health Nutrition Hub at IU Health Methodist Hospital is having a profound impact on addressing nutrition security.

The Nutrition Hub has become a vital resource for families facing food insecurity. Among its patrons is Kellie Watson, who found support in April while managing health challenges like diabetes and high blood pressure.

The Nutrition Hub entered Watson’s life at a crucial moment. Access to healthy food each week is vital for managing her medications and health, allowing her to focus on her well-being without the added stress of food scarcity. After winning her appeal for food stamps, she advocated for the Nutrition Hub, passionately sharing her new found resource at churches and City-County Council meetings.

The Nutrition Hub uses an innovative Gleaners mobile app for participants to order a weekly supply of culturally relevant foods tailored to their needs. Community health workers provide ongoing nutritional support and education, ensuring participants make informed choices.

With over 17% of Marion County residents in poverty and 128,000 facing food insecurity, the Nutrition Hub is committed to driving positive change for under served communities, one meal at a time.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Despite the recent devastation of a fire, the Kountry Kitchen is determined to continue its cherished Christmas tradition of serving meals to the homeless.

Owner Cynthia Wilson typically serves around 3,000 people each year as part of her Soulful Christmas Dinner.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The holiday season is filled with festive eats and tasty treats that are hard to avoid. The good news is, according to one Indy-area doctor, there are ways to indulge without hurting your overall health.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After years of service to the community, an Indianapolis food drive is celebrating 30 years of giving.

Rev. Richard Hunter and Martin University, with other partners in the community, are teaming up to help Hoosiers with the Christmas Help Program. This year is the 30th anniversary of the program.

Rev. Hunter joined Daybreak to share how they’re helping over 700 families.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new initiative in Indianapolis is working to address health and socio-economic disparities in five historic neighborhoods near IU Health’s new downtown hospital. The nonprofit Indy Health District Inc., in partnership with IU Health, local leaders, and community organizations, aims to transform these areas into healthier, more equitable communities.

The district includes Meridian Highland, Highland Vicinity, Crown Hill, Ransom Place, and the historic Flanner House Homes. Jamal Smith, the nonprofit’s executive director, explained the selection process: “If the new medical campus was the proverbial pebble dropped in the pond, how far out would those ripples go before something began to push back?” The result is a 1,500-acre footprint, one of the largest innovation districts in the U.S.

The initiative’s scope is broad, addressing housing, education, childcare, workforce development, green spaces, and food access. Smith emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, citing the stark life expectancy gap between residents of the district and those just eight miles north in Hamilton County. “Data shows residents here are expected to die roughly 20 years earlier, and that’s due more to social and environmental factors than access to healthcare,” he said.

To tackle these disparities, the district is collaborating with IU Health, Citizens Energy, the IU School of Medicine, the Children’s Museum, Ivy Tech, and the neighborhoods themselves. Progress will be tracked with life expectancy as the ultimate measure, supported by data from the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health.

“These issues have been decades, even centuries, in the making,” Smith said. “We’re focused on investing in the people and communities already here, not just bringing in new resources.” By addressing housing affordability, childcare access, and education quality, the district hopes to create lasting, measurable change.

While the effort is ambitious, Smith stressed the importance of transparency and collaboration. “This isn’t an overnight fix, but by working together, we can start to close the gap and build healthier communities.”

For more information, visit indyhealthdistrict.org.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.