Anything really worth doing takes persistence, perseverance, and determination. Tenacity is the quality displayed by someone who just won’t quit—who keeps trying until the goal is reached. That describes our team as we modified our zip code service area in a challenging 2024 food-supply environment. Our mainly volunteer-run pantry acted resourcefully and responsively in light of record demand. Below are some highlights of how we helped clients and what we will continue doing as we enter 2025. Thanks for your continued support.
-Matt Hayes
January
- We reduced food insecurity during a significant service-area change at the start of 2024. Instead of partially serving certain zip codes with confusing boundaries, our streamlining created clarity for customers. Note: First-timers outside the area can still shop one time as a courtesy due to the dramatic need.
- The zip codes are 46260, 46240, 46220, 46205 and 46208.
- Our Operations Manager, TJ, hosted 32 third-graders from the International School. The students turned cash donations into Walmart purchases for us!
February
- For Catholic Schools Week, St. Simon the Apostle Catholic School generated 1,725 pounds of soup for a Souper Bowl canned soup drive!
March
- Many hands make light work—no matter how big or small. Special thanks to guest weigher Chloe!
April
- A milestone month: The start of the growing season led to a visit on a typical spring day. Read more about our efforts to provide nutritious food to those in need.
May
- On Thursdays, the “Second Helpings Crew” (the Leamnsons) regularly pick up rescue food from the generous Indianapolis nonprofit and bring it to the pantry for eventual distribution.
June
- We surprised Director Emeritus Mark Varnau of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish on his 90th birthday with a $9,090 fundraiser check. Watch the surprise or read about it in Celebrating Mark: A Birthday to Benefit Boulevard Place Food Pantry.
July
- No organization improves by standing idle. A two-month survey of our volunteers provided valuable insights into our strengths and areas for improvement. A standout stat: 63% of our 125 volunteers have been with us for 3+ years. Learn more.
August
- Internationally-acclaimed Boston, MA, drummers and buglers visiting Indianapolis for a national competition donated 825 pounds of food to us, marking the second consecutive year of this generosity!
- We also received a heartwarming testimonial: “I’m thankful I can give back because it was here for me when I needed it.” Learn more.
September
- One challenge any organization faces is communication barriers. Thanks to the help of a great St. Thomas Aquinas teacher, Erica Dominguez, we published a video tutorial for non-English speakers titled Compras en la despensa de alimentos de Boulevard Place para personas que no hablan inglés. ¡Damos la bienvenida a todos!
- On September 30, we completed our fiscal year with a new record: 1,382 clients per month, an all-time high. In FY 2024, we served 16,587 households, up from 16,100 in 2023. Donations from individuals, groups, or partner organizations like SVdP Indy and Second Helpings made up 455,749 pounds (70%) of our total food donations.
October
- Immaculate Heart of Mary’s “Do a 180” cereal drive for kids brought in 428 pounds of food to fill hungry morning bellies. We’re grateful for IHM’s efforts!
November
- Reputation matters! We increased our Google review score to 4.7 (up from 4.6) thanks to several 5-star ratings. This online comment stood out: “Boulevard Place food pantry is a wonderful place for experiencing the miracle of goodness in this world. I can’t believe the amount and variety of fresh and frozen foods.”
- Our 2024 board parish representatives were: Joy Fay [IHM], Lisa Wilson [CTK], Barbara Hendrickson [St. Luke], Andy Pike [STA], and John Peoni [SJOA]. We greatly appreciate their involvement. Leadership and organizational updates for 2025 were also announced. Learn more.
December
- After 42 years of operation, we updated the Boulevard Place logo, which had formed our identity since relocating to 4202 N. Boulevard Place in 2011. The new logo will help distinguish volunteers from clients, as volunteers don’t have regular uniforms.
- Porch Indy generously brought us 496.2 pounds of food for the third consecutive year.
By the Numbers:
- Total pounds of food received: 658,685 (up 8% over 2023)
- Percentage of food donated vs. purchased: 70%/30% (up 9%)
- Pounds of food donated from local parishes (STA, SJOA, CTK, StL, IHM): 55,241 (up 1%)
- Value of donated food (per Feeding America): $1.93 per pound APR
