As summer begins, June brings another month of Northwest Indiana organizations working to provide relief from rising food costs and food insecurity. 

In Indiana, almost 10% of families and individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have had their benefits cut since last year. In Gary, nearly 40% of residents rely on SNAP benefits, while 1 in 7 residents in Northwest Indiana are considered food insecure due to inconsistent access to food. 

As those challenges persist, local churches, nonprofits, and other agencies across the region are hosting food distributions. Below is the June schedule outlining where residents can receive free groceries.

Friday, June 5

Kouts Christian Church
208 S. Poland Ave., Kouts
10 a.m.

Saturday, June 6

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.

Tuesday, June 9

Valparaiso Family YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, Valparaiso
1 p.m.

Wednesday, June 10

Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
1301 W. 21st Ave., Gary
1 p.m.

Thursday, June 11

Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.

Whiting Lakefront Park
1500 Park Road, Whiting
10 a.m.

Friday, June 12

Our Lady of Grace Church
3025 Highway Ave., Highland
10 a.m.

Saturday, June 13

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.

Monday, June 15

St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church
6060 Miller Ave., Gary
9 a.m.

Tuesday, June 16

Anthem Church
6947 Hohman Ave., Hammond
2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17

Living Hope Church
9000 W. Taft St., Merrillville
3 p.m.

Thursday, June 18

The Gospel Truth Apostolic Ministry
5829 W 15th Ave., Gary
12:30 p.m.

Portage High School
6450 U.S. 6, Door G, Portage
4 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23

Public Works Building
400 Lincoln Ave., New Chicago
11 a.m.

Wednesday, June 24

UChicago Medicine
10855 Virginia St., Crown Point
3 p.m.

Thursday, June 25

Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.

St. Teresa of Avila
1604 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Noon

Friday, June 26

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
4 p.m.

Tuesday, June 30

Iglesia Shalom
4334 Tod Ave., East Chicago
11 a.m.

Rayonna Burton-Jernigan is the Business and Economic Development reporter for Capital B Gary.