Grants from the United Way of Northwest Indiana, the Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation and the NIPSCO/NiSource Charitable Foundation will help the Salvation Army of East Chicago expand its daily food program.
The $36,000 in funds provide funding for the Salvation Army's renovation of its aging food pantry and kitchen at 513 W. Chicago Ave. in East Chicago.
“We are thankful to have community support in East Chicago to better serve those in need,” said Major Troy Barker, area commander of the Salvation Army of Northwest Indiana, in a press release. “The Salvation Army has supported its community for many years, and these funds will help continue the good work The Salvation Army does.”
The United Way of Northwest Indiana's $10,000 grant will help replace an industrial stove and install a dishwasher. The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation's grant of $15,000 will help renovate the kitchen and expand programming. The NIPSCO/NiSource Charitable Foundation also awarded $11,025 to the upgrade.
“Behind every hot meal is a team working hard to serve people with dignity and consistency,” said Chris White, CEO of United Way Northwest Indiana. “This $10,000 investment is about more than appliances — it’s about increasing the efficiency and reliability of a feeding operation that supports hundreds of our neighbors every day in East Chicago.”
The project also includes replacing two air-conditioning units on the roof of the facility, which serves East Chicago, Whiting and the Robertsdale part of Hammond. The improvements should cut down on heating and cooling costs.
The facility provides meals to between 80 and 100 people from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The food pantry helps between 25 and 30 families Monday through Thursday.
The Salvation Army also expects the improvements to help volunteers and staff serve 20 more people a day, or 7,300 meals each year.
