OUR FOOD PANTRY

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 At Temple Community Outreach Inc., we believe in creative solutions to age-old problems. Our journey with the Indy Community Pantry began in 2021 during the Black Vegan Fest, thanks to Pastor Forrest’s sister, Natalie Pipkin, founder of Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore. She introduced us to the idea of an outdoor refrigerator pantry—a simple, accessible way to address food insecurity in our community.

At the time, we were launching our IndyECHO Community Library, an outdoor literacy initiative under a tent for the summer reading program. Adding an outdoor refrigerator pantry felt like the perfect complement to our mission of serving, uplifting, and restoring our neighborhood.

The concept was an immediate success. Neighbors, community members, donors from Indianapolis Police Department, and countless unseen angels embraced the vision, keeping the refrigerator stocked and accessible 24/7. Together with our host site, Pentecostal Temple COGIC, this effort has provided consistent food access in a known food desert.

Three years and two refrigerators later, the program is still going strong. How can you help? It’s simple:

• Take what you need, leave what you can.

• Drop off prepackaged food directly at the refrigerator anytime you’re in the area of 30th and Forest Manor.

• No time to shop? Consider a monetary donation, and we’ll shop for you.

Every contribution makes a difference. Together, we’re fighting hunger and building hope—one meal at a time.