DeKalb County Hunger Relief Response
Hunger Can’t Wait: Families & Children in DeKalb County Need Us Now
Updated November 4, 2025
Families in DeKalb County are losing critical food benefits, and the need is growing quickly. Even when SNAP benefits are reinstated, the impact has already reached local resources and families. Fortify Life, and the United Way of DeKalb County, and the Community Foundation of DeKalb County came together to launch the Hunger Relief Response — not to build a new organization, but to create a shared effort that anyone can join.
This response belongs to the community.
Together, we can mobilize resources faster, communicate needs in real time, and make sure food reaches families when and where it’s needed most. Keep scrolling this page to get started.
34.5% of students are on free or reduced lunch in DeKalb Central Schools in 2022. (www.IN.gov)
How to Give Help
The DeKalb County Hunger Relief Fund exists to provide immediate support—every dollar goes directly to local food banks and pantries to get groceries into the hands of families who need them most.
Donate Money
Your gift goes straight to local food banks and pantries, helping families get groceries and essentials right when they need them most. Every dollar counts toward feeding someone in our community.
Volunteer
Lend a hand and see the impact firsthand! From packing boxes to delivering groceries, your time can make a real difference for families facing hunger. Join the volunteer list.
Donate Food
Prefer to give groceries? Drop off non-perishable items at one of our local locations directly. Your donations go directly to families in need, helping stock pantries and fill tables. Call before donating.
Donate
The DeKalb County Hunger Relief Fund was created as an immediate action to provide an emergency $1,000 donation to local food pantries in the county, as well as to collect donations for pantries from the community. The fund is held by United Way of DeKalb County in partnership with Fortify Life and the DeKalb County Community Foundation. It exists to provide needed support—every dollar goes directly to local food banks and pantries to get groceries into the hands of families who need them most.
Give relief on the United Way website starting today, November 4, 2025. A button will populate when the link is available. If you cannot yet donate online, please write checks out to United Way of DeKalb County for the DeKalb County Hunger Relief Fund. Thank you.
DeKalb County Food Pantries
Filter local resources by need, day, and location. This list will be updated frequently. We recommend calling first if possible. If your organization should be added, please contact us.
Garrett United Methodist Church
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Monday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Address:
110 West Houston Street, Garrett IN
Phone:
260-357-3315
Waterloo Community Outreach Ministry / Warm a Heart
Services:
Free Meal: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Address:
100 West Railroad Street, Waterloo IN
Phone:
260-573-8188
Community Center of Caring (Catholic Charities)
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Wednesday: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Address:
113 West 5th Street, Auburn IN
Phone:
260-925-0917
The Gathering
Services:
Free Meal: Fifth Sunday, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Address:
111 West 12th Street, Auburn IN
Phone:
260-203-1517
Auburn First United Methodist Church
Services:
Free Meal: Wednesday, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Address:
111 West 12th Street, Auburn IN
Phone:
260-925-0885
Auburn Presbyterian Church
Services:
Free Meal (Friends Table): Monday, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Community Pantry (Unstaffed, Outdoors): Always Open
Address:
111 West 12th Street, Auburn IN
Phone:
260-925-2987
St. Joseph's Soup Kitchen (Catholic Church)
Services:
Free Meal: Monday and Thursday, 4:30PM - 5:30 PM.
Address:
308 South Peters Street, Garrett
Phone:
260-357-3122
Hamilton Church of Christ
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Address:
Phone:
260-468-9511
Roots of Giving - Butler Community Pantry
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Last Wednesday of the Month, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Address:
Phone:
260-570-3162
New Life Baptist Church
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Every other Saturday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Community Pantry (Unstaffed, Outdoors): Always Open
Address:
1006 South Jackson Street, Auburn IN
Phone:
260-286-9070
SonShine Ministries / Shelter Ministries
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoor): Monday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Thursday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Address:
Phone:
260-925-9200 ext 307
First Christian Church - I Am Ministry
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Community Pantry (Outdoor, Unstaffed): Always Open
Address:
910 North Indiana Avenue, Auburn IN
Phone:
260-925-2789
County Line Church of God
Services:
Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Third Friday of the Month: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Address:
Phone:
260-627-2482
DeKalb County Council on Aging – Heimach Center
Services:
Emergency Small Food Pantry (Staffed, Indoors): Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Community Pantry (Unstaffed, Outdoors): Always Open
Address:
Phone:
260-925-3311
Eckhart Public Library Annex
Services:
Community Pantry (Unstaffed, Outdoors): Always Open
Address:
603 South Jackson Street, Auburn IN
Phone:
None listed
DeKalb County Food Resource Map
Many food resources in DeKalb County are concentrated in the same areas. Transportation becomes a major barrier families must overcome in order to access food.
Why it Matters
Children in Indiana are food insecure as of 2023.
1 in 5
People received SNAP benefits in DeKalb County in September 2025.
2,479
In SNAP funds were issued to DeKalb County in September 2025.
$445,345
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Many families who don’t qualify for SNAP already rely on food banks to bridge the gap between paychecks and groceries. Now, with families losing those benefits altogether, even more people will be forced to turn to the same limited resources just to survive. Even in benefits are reinstated at a portion of what they once were, without immediate action, the demand on local food banks and pantries will exceed what they can carry.
This is not a future problem — it’s happening right now. We must respond together, or families in our own community will go without food.
Join the Coalition
The Hunger Relief Coalition will bring together community members, nonprofits, churches, schools, pantries, service providers, and community members who are ready to respond in real time to rapidly changing hunger needs in DeKalb County.
Instead of working in silos, we’re sharing information, coordinating efforts, and communicating urgent needs as they arise so families can get help faster.
We don’t have a meeting date set yet, but if you’d like to be part of the first gathering and receive updates, sign up below and we’ll make sure you’re included in the invitation.