As a continuation of our 2019 Community Volunteer Days initiative, the LHD team has been searching for new ways to provide support to our community while also staying safe through proper social distancing measures. While our volunteer hours have looked much different this year, we continue to support our 2019 partners, and recently began a new partnership with Patachou Foundation.
In our 2019 Community survey, LHD employees identified their passions first align with supporting organizations focused on Children, and second with organizations focused on Hunger in our community. The Patachou Foundation’s mission to address food insecurity in our community directly aligns with our personal passions.
LHD also recognizes that while this may not be the best time for companies to donate and volunteer, this is the time when our community needs it the most. LHD made a monetary donation to Patachou Foundation while employees and their families spent time writing personal notes and inspirational cards to the youth that receive meals from Patachou Foundation.
A Thank You Video from Patachou Foundation
ABOUT PATACHOU FOUNDATION
The Patachou Foundation prepares and serves healthy meals to children impacted by poverty and hunger and increases their awareness, connection, and excitement about food. Our meal service is complemented by hands-on educational programming to combat food insecurity at its core to break the cycle of hunger in our community.
HOW IT WORKS
Our chef prepares a special menu of kid-friendly dishes each week in our production kitchen. In addition to serving 2,000 after-school meals at eight Indianapolis schools each week, our volunteers take time to pull up a chair and create positive relationships around the dinner table. Patachou Foundation staff and volunteers also teach students weekly experiential food literacy and cooking lessons with simple ingredients and kitchen tools.
AN UNPARALLELED SITUATION
Nearly 80% of kids attending the schools The Patachou Foundation serves live at or below poverty and are faced with daily food insecurity and hunger. Indianapolis is ranked worst in the nation for access to fresh foods, so even if resources are available, access to fresh food is not. Indianapolis area schools are not equipped with working ovens or functioning kitchens. Federally funded food programs typically fall short, leaving kids with only processed, unhealthy food choices. Many children go home to empty cupboards and empty refrigerators. For most of the children The Patachou Foundation serves, the pre-packaged school breakfasts and lunches are the only guaranteed meals of the day. The lack of quality food access creates a negative impact on school attendance, behavior in and out of school, and overall health.
To learn more about how you can get involved with Patachou Foundation, visit their website at thepatachoufoundation.org
