Some Hoosiers donate federal stimulus checks to food bank
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — More people continue to get their federal stimulus checks amid the coronavirus pandemic, and some individuals have already decided what to do with the cash: They’re donating the money to people in need.
“I don’t need this as much as some people do, so that’s why I figured I’d share it,” said Amanda Cowgill, a teacher at the Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center.
She donated half of her stimulus check to Gleaners Community Food Bank.
“I have been pretty concerned about the welfare of my students. Sometimes, you never know what’s going on at home and what kinds of things they’re dealing with. This was kind of the best way for me to reach out to them and to try to be able to help them in some small way during all this uncertainty.” Cowgill said.
She’s not the only one donating stimulus money.
John Elliott, president and CEO of Gleaners, said, “I, just before you arrived, signed a whole stack of letters and there are an awful lot of $1,200 amounts in that stack.”
The food bank serves 21 counties in central and southeast Indiana.
That amount is the total nearly every American is receiving as a direct payout from the federal stimulus package.
Husband and wife Robert and Liz Brouwer gave their entire stimulus check to Gleaners.
“So, we sat down and had a discussion and figured out what is the best way we can get that money to people who need it more than we do,” Robert Brouwer told News 8.
The need is real.
Elliott said, “We need every dollar. We need every donor. More than ever before, really, because now we’re responsible for feeding 40%-50% more people than we were just two months ago. It was frankly hard work to raise the money before that.”
It costs Gleaners roughly an extra $600,000 per week just to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
“And that’s above and beyond our regular budget. So, when I say we need every donor, we really do,” he said.
Cowgill, the Brouwers and other donors believe the money truly will help Hoosiers in need.
Liz Brouwer said, “We hope it feeds their family and takes care of them until they can get their lives back to normal.”
Elliott told News 8, “Thank you for sharing our message. Thank you for supporting our mission to feed our hungry neighbors. They’re your neighbors, too.”
Here are ways to donate to Gleaners:
- Text GIVE to 317-593-2400.
- Online with a credit card or PayPal.
- Mail a check to: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, 3737 Waldemere Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46241