For over 50 years, the Mozel Sanders Foundation has been a lifeline for those facing food insecurity across central Indiana, keeping thousands from going hungry. As Thanksgiving approaches, the foundation is gearing up to serve more people than ever, with a goal to provide 10,000 hot meals to families in need this holiday season.

The foundation secured a network of commercial kitchens to help prepare meals across the city. Volunteers are already in place, but Sanders says the organization needs experienced chefs to help lead the effort.

This year, the foundation is adding more locations to reach even more people. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will serve as the primary hub, with self-prep kitchens set up at New Directions Church, Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Roberts Park United Methodist Church, and a new location at The Hangar.

Each of these self-prep sites will play a critical role in getting meals ready to go.

To get involved, volunteers can sign up on the foundation’s website. Sanders highlighted that the website lists all volunteer opportunities, as well as the locations of the 12 satellite kitchens around the city.

With demand higher than ever, the foundation aims to serve 10,000 meals—a record for the organization. While this scale of effort brings challenges, the foundation’s expanded network of kitchens and satellite locations makes the goal achievable.

For those who want to help but can’t volunteer, Sanders says financial support is just as crucial.

Just $5 feeds one person or a family of four for $20.

Donations can be made via text by sending “MOZEL” to 53555, or checks can be mailed to Mozel Sanders Foundation, which is located at 709 N. Belmont Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46222. For a quicker option, donations are also accepted through Cash App at $MozSanders.

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A garden has become a lifeline for central Indiana families in need. What began as a modest, corporate initiative has blossomed into a remarkable collective effort.

In 2023, Roche’s Garden produced an impressive 300 pounds of fresh, organic produce. This year, the garden’s operators hope to double that number.

Roche’s Garden is known as one of the oldest gardens in Indianapolis. It’s evolved to playing a critical role to provide nutritious food, and preventing disease while food insecurity is high.

The bounty of vegetables is not destined for corporate cafeterias, but rather the shelves of a local food bank, The Resource Hub, where it goes to families in need. It’s an initiative aligning with the American Heart Association’s Food is Medicine initiative.

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Mother Loves Garden is an urban education garden at 1114 W. 33rd St. on the near northwest side, and was created in 2013 with a mission to improve the neighborhood’s quality of life through volunteering and education.

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Halloween is right around the corner, which means children will soon be knocking on doors shouting “trick-or-treat.” But while many are eager to indulge in their candy haul, consideration should be made for children with food allergies.During Tuesday’s Daybreak, I talked with with April Kleber, a registered dietitian with Community Health Network, to discuss the importance of choosing allergy-friendly treats this season.

As more families become aware of food allergies, the Teal Pumpkin Project—a movement to offer non-food treats for trick-or-treaters—continues to gain popularity. This simple step helps ensure that every child can take part in the Halloween fun without the worry.

For more advice on creating an allergy-friendly Halloween, catch the full interview with April or click here.

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The United Nations celebrated World Food Day on Wednesday. The day marks the anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. The FAO Recognizes World Food Day on Oct. 16.

Every year, the agency uses the day to promote food literacy, which is at the center of its mission.

Organizers challenge people to get involved in October for World Food Day by combating food insecurity in their communities.

Many charities are always seeking volunteers or donations across the state. Below is a short list of the many groups that work to fight hunger in Central Indiana.

Central Indiana Food Charities

• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
• Meals on Wheels
• Midwest Food Bank
• Mozel Sanders Foundation
• Pack Away Hunger
• Patachou Foundation
• Second Helpings
• St. Vincent de Paul

While food banks focus on having ingredients and materials for meals all in one place, other nonprofits, like Pack Away Hunger, help to prepare food for those who need it.

The group prepares dehydrated food packs that contain enough rice, soybeans and vegetables to feed six people.

About half the meals prepared by volunteers stay in central Indiana, and the other half goes to communities in need across the globe.

Pack Away Hunger is hosting a virtual informational session about their efforts over Zoom on Thursday at 5 p.m. Click here to join the call.

For more about World Food Day visit the FAO website.

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Pack Away Hunger is a nonprofit working tirelessly to address hunger locally and globally.

Since 2010, they’ve packed and distributed over 23 million meals, helping to fight hunger in Central Indiana and beyond.

Nick and Angela from Pack Away Hunger joined us to talk about their mission and how they make it happen.

Pack Away Hunger’s mission is simple but crucial — to ensure that no one goes hungry.

Their meal-packing process is driven almost entirely by volunteers. Each meal pack contains rice, textured vegetable protein, dehydrated vegetables, and a specially formulated vitamin packet. These meal kits provide essential nutrition, particularly for young children, supporting their development during the critical first 1,000 days of life.

With a staff of just three, Pack Away Hunger depends on their nearly 7,000 volunteers each year, from individuals to community groups, to help prepare the meals they ship out.

Most recently, the organization sent over 800,000 meals to Ukraine in support of the ongoing crisis.

Hunger isn’t just a distant issue — it’s also happening right here in central Indiana.

In Marion County, 14% of residents are food insecure.

Volunteering for just an hour or two with Pack Away Hunger can help make a real difference, providing nutritious meals to those who need them most.

If you’re interested in volunteering or partnering with Pack Away Hunger, they’re always looking for more help. Visit their website for more information and find out how you can be part of this meaningful cause. Together, we can help alleviate hunger, one meal at a time.

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The Indiana Pacers and its teammates across the community are amping up an effort to take on food insecurity.

The program has a basketball theme -- with a nutritional payoff -- it's called 'Drive and Dish'.

Gleaners Food Bank -- Pacers Sports and Entertainment -- the Pacers Foundation -- and the city's parks department are all part of it.

It launched at the start of the year - bringing boxes of food to families in need.

The new goals -- 16-thousand boxes this year -- and 33,000 next year.

Organizers say they want to expand the effort to other cities in the years to come.

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As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches in October, it’s essential to empower women with knowledge and tools to manage their health. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, highlighting the need for proactive measures in diagnosis and treatment.

To explore effective strategies, Dr. Tarah Ballinger, a breast oncologist at IU Health Simon Cancer Center talked with News 8. Ballinger emphasized the significant roles that diet and exercise play in reducing recurrence rates for breast cancer patients.

Weight gain is a common concern following a breast cancer diagnosis, according to Ballinger.

When it comes to exercise, Ballinger advocated for a balanced approach.

Diet also plays a vital role in recovery and long-term health, says Dr. Ballinger.

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