The Society of Innovators will present the Richard C. Sussman Award for Team Innovation to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Dec. 11.
The food bank won the award during the 2024 Innovators Awards hosted by the Society of Innovators in November. The society selects one team annually to receive the Richard C. Sussman Award for Team Innovation.
The award recognizes a team that promotes innovation in the private, public, not-for-profit and government sectors. The Sussman Prize is a traveling award, held by the recipient(s) for one year. The award was created to honor the late Richard Sussman. Sussman was the former Society of Innovators chairman and head of ArcelorMittal East Chicago’s research laboratory.
The Society of Innovators is recognizing the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana for their innovative OrderAhead refrigerated lockers. The lockers provide a solution to the time and location challenges that often hinder access to food support services. The lockers are designed to meet the needs of individuals and families facing food insecurity in Lake and Porter Counties.
The presentation of the Richard C. Sussman Award for Team Innovation will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the food bank’s headquarters in Merrillville. The event will include brief remarks by the Society of Innovators and Food Bank of Northwest Indiana representatives. A coffee and cookie reception will follow.
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest champions innovation and entrepreneurship in Northwest Indiana. Founded in 2005, the Society of Innovators celebrates the spirit of creativity and ingenuity. Its mission is to discover, honor and celebrate innovators from across the seven-county region of Northwest Indiana.
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana distributes over 7 million pounds of food across Lake and Porter counties every year. Founded in 1982, the food bank has a network of partner agencies, mobile food distributions and direct service programs. The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana provides hunger relief to nearly 25,000 people each month.
