Indiana Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle joined Rachel Simon and executives from Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Pacers Foundation, Gleaners, and Indy Parks & Recreation for a press conference today at Frederick Douglass Park to announce Drive & Dish, Powered by Gleaners2Go.
The effort will expand the current food insecurity program in Marion County and statewide over the next decade and is being fueled by generous investments from Carlisle, PS&E owners Herb Simon and Stephen Rales, owner and alternate governor Steve Simon, and others.
“Access to quality food should not be a luxury, and I’m going to continue to beat the drum and bring more attention to this cause,” said Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle. “Even as we stand here, we know more than 1 out of every 3 people in Marion County – and nearly a million people across the state – are wondering where their next meal will come from. That’s not acceptable, but we will continue to support the good work being done to address this crisis.”
Since launching the first iteration of Drive & Dish on Jan. 1, 2024, the program has reached hundreds of families in key neighborhoods on Indianapolis’ near east and near west sides. Working through the teams at the Edna Martin Christian Center and Christamore House, Gleaners, as well as Nine13 Logistics, will deliver more than 16,000 boxes of fresh foods, produce, and eggs to families in these neighborhoods.
“We’re honored to be a part of this effort to address food insecurity with great community organizations like Pacers Sports and Entertainment. Drive & Dish recognizes the importance not just of food, but in bringing people together at trusted community organizations like Indy Parks,” said Fred Glass, President and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.
Beginning in 2025, Drive & Dish, Powered by Gleaners2Go, will leverage an app-driven system developed by Gleaners, Gleaners2Go, which will enable the program to double in Marion County to 33,000 boxes in 2025. Additionally, the app will allow residents to customize their food orders, giving them support they need with the dignity they deserve. Finally, by pairing the Gleaners2Go technology and the existing Drive & Dish model with Indy Parks, the program can be tied to other programming to ensure the broader needs of these families are being served.
“Combating food insecurity by providing free meals is one of Indy Parks’ most essential roles. This partnership with Pacers Sports and Entertainment, Coach Carlisle, and Gleaners will provide more residents access to healthy food and build on the more than 3.3 million meals served from Indy Parks locations since 2013,” said Phyllis Boyd, Director of Indy Parks & Recreation.
With nearly a million Hoosiers across the state facing some level of food insecurity, the Pacers Foundation and the team at PS&E will look to take this campaign statewide in 2025. Through investments from PS&E owners Herb Simon and Stephen Rales, the organization plans to expand the Drive & Dish model to other cities over the next decade. This will include working to identify and spreading best practices, acting as a convener of experts and practitioners leading efforts to address food insecurity, and advocating for changes to policy in this area.
“Access to quality foods and proper nutrition impacts everything from educational attainment and mental health to public health and employment stability,” said Rachel Simon, chair of the Pacers Foundation. “No child should wonder where their next meal is coming from. We have a responsibility to our neighbors and are committed to eliminating barriers that fuel the crisis of food insecurity.”
Press release provided courtesy of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.