Indianapolis, Indiana – As the Meijer Simply Give Campaign wraps up for the season, Ivy Tech Indianapolis is once again turning its focus inward—toward the students who walk its halls every day while quietly battling challenges most classmates never see. The IvyCares team, which leads the college’s efforts to fight food insecurity and provide basic resources, is asking the broader community to join in sustaining this critical work long after the final donation box from the campaign is packed away.
For years, Ivy Tech faculty, staff, and students have stepped up through clothing drives, pantry restocks, and holiday support projects that fill immediate needs for struggling families. But the IvyCares team now faces a growing reality: the need never truly slows down, and community support must stretch beyond seasonal generosity. “Your help ensures we can continuously provide food, clothing, and other essential resources, empowering students to focus on their education,” the team emphasizes.
Food insecurity continues to be one of the most persistent barriers for students nationwide, and Ivy Tech Indianapolis is no exception. It is defined as not having enough food to meet basic daily needs or not knowing where the next meal will come from. On this campus, the IvyCares program works as both a safety net and a steady source of relief, offering access to a no-cost supplemental food pantry, hygiene essentials, and a clothing closet that helps students maintain confidence in academic and professional settings. IvyCares also extends its support network by providing mental health connections, transportation resources, and technology assistance.
This work is becoming even more urgent. Gleaners Food Bank—one of the main resources Ivy Tech relies on—has reported a “surge in food-insecure Hoosiers” and is already preparing for more. With more than 300 pantry partners across the state, Gleaners is not only increasing distribution but also rethinking how the community responds to growing need. Ivy Tech’s pantry is one piece of that larger ecosystem, and its success depends heavily on the support it receives locally.
As questions from community members pour in about how to help, IvyCares has outlined several direct ways Indianapolis residents can make an impact.
1. Support the IvyCares Amazon Wishlist
The most immediate option is to purchase items from the IvyCares Amazon Wishlist, which ships directly to the campus. The pantry is especially in need of laundry sheets, pads, deodorant, and other hygiene basics—supplies that disappear quickly but are essential for students trying to stay focused, healthy, and prepared for class. Every purchase, big or small, reduces the daily stress students feel when they are forced to choose between schoolwork and survival.
2. Make a Monetary Donation through the Ivy Tech Foundation
Financial contributions are another powerful way to assist. Through the Ivy Tech Foundation, donors can direct funds specifically to the IvyCares program. The process is simple: select “Indianapolis” as the campus designation, then choose “IvyCares” to ensure that the donation supports local students facing immediate hardship. These funds allow the program to respond quickly when the pantry runs low or when emergency needs arise that cannot be met through in-kind donations alone.
3. Bring Donations Directly to IvyCares
For those who prefer to give in person, IvyCares welcomes donations of shelf-stable food such as canned goods, cereal, and dry staples. The clothing closet, which operates year-round, is currently running a winter clothing drive and reports a high need for sweatshirts and hoodies. Donations can be dropped off at the North Meridian Center (50 W. Fall Creek Pkwy. N. Dr.), room 414, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If the office is closed, individuals can leave items in the brown box stationed outside the door.
While food and clothing remain the most visible parts of the IvyCares mission, the program works diligently to address student wellness as a whole. Ivy Tech Indianapolis offers mental health support through on-campus counselors, accessible by emailing [email protected], and the IvyCares team provides tailored referrals to housing, transportation, and technology services. Whether a student needs bus passes, a laptop to complete coursework, or help finding stable housing, the IvyCares staff serves as a guiding point of connection.
Questions about donations or available resources can be directed to [email protected], or by visiting the team in person at the North Meridian Center’s fourth floor. Staff members encourage anyone unsure about what to donate—or how to help—to reach out. The need is constant, but so is the program’s willingness to partner with the community.
At the core of all these efforts is a simple belief: success in college shouldn’t hinge on whether a student has enough food in the refrigerator or a warm coat in the winter. Many Ivy Tech students juggle coursework with jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and financial hardships. Without programs like IvyCares, these pressures can derail their academic dreams. With support, however, students gain stability and the confidence to move forward. “Your support does more than fill a pantry; it fuels a future,” the team reminds the community. “Together, we can ensure that a student’s potential is never limited by their circumstances.”
Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution, serves thousands of students across the state both in person and online. As the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, Ivy Tech plays a critical role in workforce development, offering degree programs, industry certifications, and pathways that help students advance or seamlessly transfer to four-year universities. The success of programs like IvyCares is deeply tied to the college’s broader mission: removing barriers so students can pursue education and opportunity without interruption.
In Indianapolis, that mission grows stronger when the community steps in. And right now, IvyCares is clear—help is needed more than ever.
