Groups collect boxes of food for Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The American Legion family of organizations is doing its part to support families in need at Camp Atterbury with the help of the Indiana National Guard and the Indianapolis Urban League.
They’re delivering boxes of food to the Indiana National Guard, which is using them to help hundreds of refugee families in need.
Amy Harwell with the American Legion said she saw a great need and decided to get involved. She believes our communities owe it to the people who were allies to our soldiers in Afghanistan.
“We need to give back to them and say thank you,” Harwell said. “Thanks to them for what they have done for our soldiers while they were there.”
The Urban League has been feeding central Indiana families for the last 76 weeks. It’s why they were Harwell’s first call.
“We want to help the community at large,” said Bianca Phillips, Urban League Project coordinator for workforce development. “Anyone in the community. (Helping) anyone on the outside surrounding counties that’s our mission.”
In just two weeks, the Urban League provided Harwell with more than 50 boxes that could feed more than 200 people.
Harwell wants people new to Indiana to feel the Hoosier hospitality. “This is special to me because these people, in more ways than one, they have no one,” she said. “They’re away from home, and we want to show them that this is your new home.”
Now, she’s calling on her neighbors to spring into action. Even though she commends the work that’s being done, she believes there’s much more to do to ensure families are being taken care of. She took the time to challenge her neighbors. “Doing this is a small token,” she said. “They’re doing a lot but they need help. It takes a village.”
They’re also looking for children’s clothes, diapers, shoes and personal hygiene products. Anyone can help by delivering donations to American Legion Post 249, 2523 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. People can also visit the post’s Facebook page to learn more about their efforts.