Warrick County Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Boonville IN

What Food Insecurity Looks Like in Southern Indiana

I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced food insecurity in my life. My parents always provided for my brother and me, and I know how lucky that makes me. Things got a little tricky during my college years, though. I was working a part-time job, paying rent, and covering bills on my own. I remember “grocery shopping” at a discount dollar store across from Eastland Mall, grabbing shelf-stable foods for under a dollar and keeping my food budget under twenty bucks a week. I worked in food service and we were afforded free meals during our shifts so even though I had to be creative, I made it work.

I always knew my parents would help if I needed it, but I tried to “adult” as much as I could. When I met my husband, things got easier. I didn’t have to stretch $20 a week for groceries anymore, and I could actually buy steak once in a while.

But I know that’s not the case for everyone. Many Americans struggle with food insecurity, even those working full-time jobs. Bills come first, and with the high energy costs we’ve seen across Southern Indiana, it’s easy to feel buried. Now, the government shutdown has made things even harder by halting SNAP benefits for thousands of households.

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The Community Thanksgiving

How Many Indiana Families Rely on SNAP

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, in 2024, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helped about 610,700 Indiana residents, roughly 9% of the state’s population. Nationwide, SNAP supports 41.7 million people, or about 12% of Americans.

Around 62% of participants are in families with children, 37% in families with older adults or people with disabilities, and 37% in working families. Between 2015 and 2019, SNAP helped lift about 104,000 Hoosiers, including 47,000 children, above the poverty line each year.

With the holidays approaching, many families are already wondering how they’ll put food on the table. Sadly, this isn’t just a 2025 problem.

Free Thanksgiving Meal in Boonville

A few years ago, my husband and I decided to spend Thanksgiving morning volunteering at the annual free Thanksgiving meal in Boonville. We weren’t hosting that year and had some free time, so we figured it was a great way to give back as a family. We loaded up our daughter and got to work. I helped pack takeout boxes with turkey and mashed potatoes while my husband handled deliveries. We all had a great time!

This annual Boonville tradition has been providing Thanksgiving meals to Warrick County residents for more than 25 years. It’s one of those beautiful examples of the community stepping up when people need help most. Churches, businesses, nonprofits, the fire department, and volunteers all come together to make it happen.

The Community Thanksgiving

How to Provide Thanksgiving Meals to Families in Warrick County

According to their Facebook page, organizers are already preparing for this year’s Thanksgiving meal.

The Community Thanksgiving

UPDATE: According to their Facebook page,

All of the turkeys and much of the food they need has been donated. If you still have a turkey you want to donate call 812-217-8065. All donations over what they need for the dinner will go directly to a local food bank.

They’re currently in need of: