Bloomington, Indiana – September has long been the month when hunger relief organizations across the nation call attention to food insecurity. This year, Hoosier Hills Food Bank is marking the occasion with both a symbolic and practical step forward. The nonprofit has welcomed its first all-electric vehicle into service—a 2025 Chevrolet BrightDrop 600 van affectionately named “Sparky.” The addition comes through a collaboration with Curry Auto Center and represents both progress in sustainability and relief for an overworked fleet.
For a food bank moving more than 11 tons of food each day, transportation is not a side issue—it’s the lifeline of its operations. Until now, many of those miles were carried by vans that had been on the road for well over a decade. The oldest vehicle still in service dates back to 2008, a workhorse that has served the food bank faithfully but now struggles to keep up with demand. The arrival of Sparky brings a breath of fresh energy and, quite literally, a quieter ride.
“Acquiring a new van has been a priority for us because of the volume of activity we’re engaging in every day,” said HHFB Executive Director Julio Alonso. “We’re moving over 11 tons of food each day that we’re open and most of our ten vehicles see daily use. Our oldest van is just not as reliable as it used to be, and the addition of Sparky is going to give us greater flexibility and capacity. We are very grateful to Curry Auto Center for partnering with us not only to fill that need, but to add the first EV to our fleet.”
The van is already scheduled to fill multiple roles. It will help maintain the food bank’s partnership with Bloomington Meals on Wheels by ferrying meals from providers back to the program’s base before volunteers head out on delivery routes. Sparky will also take on community-facing tasks like distributing collection barrels for food drives, retrieving donations from businesses and schools, and showing up at outreach events across the region. The variety of duties underscores why reliable vehicles are essential to the food bank’s daily rhythm.
For Curry Auto Center, the collaboration is about more than just providing a van. “It’s an honor and privilege to be able to partner with Hoosier Hills Food Bank. They provide needs for so many people in our town, county and touching counties. When I think of the impact that they have, it just feels right to continue the dealerships goal of making this community better for all,” said Curry Auto Center owner Cary Curry.
The numbers paint a clear picture of just how critical the fleet is. In 2024 alone, Hoosier Hills Food Bank distributed 5,789,875 pounds of food, and more than 80 percent of that was delivered rather than picked up. While some of the food bank’s 80 partner agencies collect their goods directly, the bulk of supplies make their way out via vans and trucks operated by HHFB staff. The food comes from an intricate mix of sources—rescued products from grocery stores, donations from food drives, and purchases made to fill gaps—and it reaches six counties through a blend of partner agencies and direct programs like mobile pantries.
This fall, community members have several ways to take part in Hunger Action Month alongside the food bank. On Friday, September 5, Monroe Hospital and the Monroe Fire Protection District will host a “Touch a Truck” event at Monroe Hospital from 3 to 7 p.m., which will double as a food drive for HHFB. A week later, on Saturday, September 13, the spotlight will shift to Kroger stores as firefighters and food bank staff team up for the Firefighters Fighting Hunger drive. Donations will be collected at two sites: Kroger Clear Creek on South Old State Road 37 and Kroger Jackson Creek on South College Mall Road, both between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Shoppers at Bloomingfoods can also lend a hand all month through the Positive Change program, which gives customers the option to round up their total or make direct contributions at checkout. Every small action adds up, and during September, those collective efforts are celebrated as part of the nationwide call to address hunger.
For Hoosier Hills Food Bank, the addition of Sparky is more than just a nod to innovation. It is a reinforcement of their mission to serve the community efficiently, reliably, and sustainably. As Hunger Action Month unfolds, the bright white van will be a moving reminder of what can be accomplished when local businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors join forces against hunger.
