Churches, nonprofits, and government agencies across Northwest Indiana are hosting free food distributions throughout March as some families adjust to tighter federal work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.
The updated rules apply to able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 without dependents and eliminate several long-standing exemptions. To continue receiving benefits, affected recipients must work, volunteer, or participate in a job training program for at least 80 hours per month.
In Gary, nearly 2 in 5 residents, or about 38%, rely on SNAP benefits.
Local organizations say food assistance remains available. Below is the March schedule for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s Mobile Market and other distributions where residents can receive free groceries.
Wednesday, March 4
Chesterton United Methodist Church
434 S. Second St., Chesterton
1 p.m.
Thursday, March 5
Faith Bible Church
15327 Cline Ave., Lowell
10 a.m.
Friday, March 6
Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
1301 W. 21st Ave., Gary
Noon
Saturday, March 7
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Sunday, March 8
Prayer Tower Fellowship Church
4595 W. 29th Ave., Gary
Noon to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10
Valparaiso Family YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, Valparaiso
1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11
Anthem Church
6947 Hohman Ave., Hammond
2 p.m.
Thursday, March 12
Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.
Jubilee Worship Center
415 N. Hobart Road, Hobart
10 a.m.
Friday, March 13
Our Lady of Grace Church
3025 Highway Ave., Highland
10 a.m.
Saturday, March 14
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Tuesday, March 17
St. Helen Church
302 N. Madison St., Hebron
11 a.m.
Wednesday, March 18
Living Hope Church
9000 W. Taft St., Merrillville
3 p.m.
Thursday, March 19
Portage High School, Door G
6450 U.S. 6, Portage
4 p.m.
Friday, March 20
Kouts Christian Church
208 S. Poland Ave., Kouts
10 a.m.
Saturday, March 21
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Tuesday, March 24
Public Works Building
400 Lincoln Ave., New Chicago
11 a.m.
Wednesday, March 25
Iglesia Shalom
4334 Tod Ave., East Chicago
11 a.m.
Thursday, March 26
Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.
St. Teresa of Avila
1604 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Noon
Friday, March 27
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
4 p.m.
Tuesday, March 31
Lake County Fairgrounds, Gate 2
899-857 Lake St., Crown Point
3 p.m.