Olthof Homes Embraces Spirit of the Season

According to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, there are 120,000 northwest Indiana residents at risk of hunger each day, and the number of people seeking food assistance has increased as much as 74% over just a year ago.

While thousands of local senior citizens are faced with the difficult decision of purchasing prescription medications, paying utilities or buying food, 16% percent of children in Indiana are food insecure.

In an effort to fight hunger in our local communities, beginning today through December 14th, Olthof Homes invites you to make a donation during their 2nd annual "Hope for the Holidays" Food Drive.

"We are so excited to be partnering, again this year, with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana," Lisa McClesky, Olthof's new home consultant at the Boardwalk in Portage, said. "We really enjoyed visiting with our homeowners when they dropped off their donations, plus we were able to meet new people as neighbors from the surrounding communities joined in as well."

With 9 convenient drop-off locations, Olthof Homes looks forward to increasing their contribution from last year's very successful food drive.

"We were thrilled to see the barrels fill up, and we were so grateful for the generosity of our friends and neighbors," McClesky said. "Last year we collected over 1,300 pounds of food, and we are hopeful of experiencing that same spirit of generosity this year, as we understand the need is even greater. Plus, this year the food drive is expanding into Porter County as we now have sales centers in Chesterton and Portage."

Focused on ending hunger and helping individuals on our community, the Food Bank provides nutritional support for those in need of hunger relief through a network of 100 community agencies across Lake and Porter Counties. Not to be confused with a food pantry, which is a charity that distributes food and grocery products directly to those in need, the Food Bank is more of a warehouse where food is solicited, received, inventoried and then distributed to local pantries and soup kitchens.

Additional outreach programs such as BackPack and Kids Café focus on the needs of hungry children. Mobile Pantry, which was started in 2007, is another way the Food Bank reaches people in need.

"When I heard about the food drive conducted by Olthof Homes to benefit those in need in my new community, I was more than glad to help," Diane Graves, an Olthof homeowner, said. "Since my grandson was visiting I thought I would involve him in this project, too. So we picked out some things from my pantry and pulling him and the food in the kiddie wagon off we went. Just a short walk later he was excited to place the items in the collection bin. It was so easy and hopefully it also impressed him to share what we have with others in need."

Starting with the "Essential 8," which include canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned tuna, peanut butter, oatmeal, macaroni & cheese, canned meats and pasta, cereal and jelly are always needed at the Food Bank as well.

"Oftentimes when we look around, the need can be overwhelming, and we can be tempted to think there is nothing we can do to solve such a big problem," McClesky said. "But even the little that we give can make such a big difference to that one person who receives it; that it is totally worth the effort."

"There are so many people in need in NW Indiana, for me it is a privilege to be able to help in any way I can," Sheila Immig of Schererville said. "It was so easy to just pick up a few extra things while I was at the store shopping for my family and then drop it off for the local food bank. I look forward to being a part of Olthof's Food Drive once again this year."

To support the efforts of Olthof Homes' 2nd Annual "Hope for the Holidays" Food Drive and help stock the shelves at the Northwest Indiana Food Bank, you can drop off your donation(s) at the following locations. For further details, including driving directions, log on to olthofhomes.com or call (219) 558-8080, ext. 315.