They do wonderful work. Rescuing food and at the same time feeing those in need and simultaneously…read moreproviding training in the service industry for individuals who could benefit from it. I call that a perfect trifecta. All the folks here are just really friendly and upbeat. I have never encountered a rude employee/volunteer here. Got leftovers from a company catering, or bought too much groceries, or run a business that may generate food waste? Bring what you cannot use to Second Helpings. No donation is too small or too big. Rest assured no food goes to waste. What they cannot use, they will pass on to other organizations. They do have guest speakers available if you want to do a food drive for them or inspire others. I try to attend their events like the Souper Bowl... Be prepared, this event is a mad house, but so much fun... Soup stations all around the building, try one, try all and then vote for your favorite. Some soups are also available for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks are usually provided. So next time you don't know what to do with food, your time or money, consider donating or volunteering for this organization. Well worth it.

It provides so much for Indianapolis and beyond. Food at no cost to over 200 agencies plus at many…read moreparks. The training program is valued at over $8,000 free of charge. Anyone completing the program can get an excellent paying job in the culinary industry. Second Helpings has an employment specialist on site. There are so many perks! Everyone there is happy! Anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer for as little or as much as they want to with very few exceptions.

Let's be honest…read more There are certain non-profits and certain businesses that are simply 5-star organizations. Anything else is unacceptable. It's so true that if you see someone bash the organization, you immediately think to yourself "This is not someone I want to know." It's true. You know it's true. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is such a non-profit. It's hard to describe everything Keep Indianapolis Beautiful does. Truthfully, I'm probably not even aware of everything Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (also known as KIB) does. I just know that when it comes to keeping Indianapolis a wonderful place to live, KIB seems to always be involved. I first became aware of KIB years ago when longtime friend David Forsell led the organization. If you haven't met David (and his wife Shannon), they are, in my estimation, one of "Indy's Couples." That's an official designation now, I made it up. Okay, back to KIB. KIB has programs in three areas: Clean Neighborhoods - Adopt-a-Block, Great Indy Clean-Up, Plogging, and Busy Roads/Waterways. Trees & Native Habitats - Project Greenspace, Habitat Restoration, and Community Forestry. Engaged Citizens - Urban Naturalists, Tree Tenders, Youth Tree Team, and KIB Ambassadors. It seems like whenever there's a community event, KIB is involved (I'm currently working alongside a KIB staff person jurying a film festival). It seems like if there's a community partnership to be had, somehow KIB is engaged with it. Their events are well-run, well-led, richly beneficial to our community, and remarkably empowering. Their office on Fletcher Avenue In 2009 became the first civic nonprofit in Indiana to have a building LEED Gold Certified by the US Green Building Council! KIB has wind turbines, a cistern to collect stormwater, rain gardens, a pervious pavement parking lot (which lets water filter through), and a sunny atrium filled with native plants. They also have a green roof and are dog friendly! In other words, KIB lives its values. As a non-profit, they have the highest possible ratings from both GuideStar and Charity Navigator. In short, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is one of those non-profits I consider to be "Indy's Non-Profits." These are organizations that truly make Indy a fantastic place to live (and it is). I love KIB and I love everything they do.

I joined KIB last year during the height of the pandemic, when I needed a healthy outlet to channel…read moreall of the anxiety I was feeling. I would go for walks daily to calm my brain, but I couldn't help but notice litter on the ground. It kind of messed with the calm vibe I was trying to accomplish -- every disposable mask and tissue and empty water bottle I would see on the ground would make me more and more irate. So instead of getting mad about it, I started to bring a trash bag and litter picker with me on my walks. Suddenly, my walks began to feel calming again. Picking up litter gave my walks a purpose. It gave me a feeling of control during a time when so many things felt out of my control (COVID cases spiking, the crumbling of society, etc.) Plus, I felt good knowing that I was helping, in a small way, to make other people feel calm during their walks, too, by removing the litter so they didn't have to see it. Not too long after I started picking up litter on my own, I found out about KIB. I learned that they have an Adopt-a-Block program, where you can "adopt" a portion of your neighborhood and maintain it (pick up litter, plant trees, etc.) I volunteered to be a Block Captain for a portion of the Monon Trail. KIB gave me some free supplies to help me start out (a nifty KIB trash bucket, lots of trash bags, gloves, a trash picker and a t-shirt). I've been an Adopt-a-Block Captain for almost a year now. Since then, I've walked lots of miles and picked up dozens (hundreds?) of buckets of litter. I've made friends with people I see regularly who use the trail where I pick up trash. I've had people come up to me and ask me about KIB (because they see me carrying my KIB trash bucket), and I'm always happy to sing this organization's praises and encourage others to adopt a block in their neighborhood, too. And KIB makes it super easy to do so. They are very inclusive and just want people to get involved in making their communities better places to live and play. I tend to enjoy picking up litter the most when I'm by myself, because it's become a meditative practice for me. But, I've also joined several litter-collecting projects that KIB has organized. These are always very well-thought-out, and they target areas of Indy that are under-cared-for and have a lot of litter lying around. During these events, it's nice to be around other people who love Indy and are as invested in it as much as you are. KIB has lots of projects happening all year, which is great because there is always something to do. I love this organization so much, and it's become a part of me and my lifestyle now. So much so, that one time, when my kids saw a KIB sign when we were out and about, they pointed to it and said, "Hey mom, that's you! That's the thing you do."

An outstanding charity organization with a unique, effective modus operandi!…read more The mission of the group primarily involves combating homelessness by encouraging an active lifestyle, including regular group walks & runs. Other support methods are given as well for those in need, such as workshops on employment or financial topics. I have volunteered with BOMF for at least five years now. Over time, I have seen how the program changes and improves lives. The personnel and volunteers have changed some since I've started volunteering, and everyone is excellent at what they do! A fun, fulfilling way to volunteer!

Such an incredible organization. The team at BOMF go above and beyond to support the city's…read morehomeless with positive programming and wraparound support that truly educate one's body, mind, and soul. The reason I love this charity so much is because you can truly give with your time, talent, and treasure. If you like to walk or run, commit to being there once a week for the morning runs. Do you have a skill that the program members need? Offer to have a class or training session. Want to sponsor a table for the BOMF Breakfast Bash? They'll gladly use your financial support! It's a great place to meet good people and put your talent to good use.

I have been a Big Sister for three years now and love spending time with my little! The…read moreorganization does a great job of matching you and your little. The process to become a little takes some time but it is worth it and I appreciate that they are so thorough. The organization often has free tickets for events for us to enjoy or partnerships with museums and places throughout the city. The best part is impacting your little and seeing them grow up and become their own person- I plan on being a big until my little graduates and hopefully will still stay connected after her graduation! If you have the time and passion, this is a great place to volunteer!! My advice is to be yourself and be open to new experiences.

One of my favorite Indy non-profits! Rooted in their desire to ignite potential in the youth of…read morecentral Indiana, BBBS is a phenomenal organization that matches bigs and littles together to create a positive relationship for all involved. I've been a Big for four years now and absolutely love it. My little and I enjoy doing things together like riding bikes on the canal, playing at the YMCA, and going to game nights hosted by BBBSCI - all for free thanks to BBBS and their partnerships. If you're thinking of becoming a Big - reach out and ask me anything! I love everything about it and can't rave about it enough!

I've always wondered what goes on behind the doors of Dress for Success and today I had the…read moreopportunity to find out. I attended the volunteer orientation to learn more about the mission for Dress For Success and how I can play a role to better serve women. Toured the facility, walked through the boutique and noticed wonderful artwork that covered the walls. Had no idea such beautiful works of art existed inside this place! I learned a lot today and cant wait to be a part of the Dress For Success team!

I love everything about this non-profit. 1.) they're super organized (and professional-go figure);…read more2.) they offer training and skills that help women establish themselves in careers (financial planning, suits, resume review, personal shoppers to help select professional attire ranging from shoes and purses to jewelry and bras). They even have national partnerships with haircare products to send ladies home with all of the necessities. Their location on Meridian Street makes them easy to locate and parking alongside the building makes dropping off donations easy. Note: by appointment only. I highly recommend lending your skills and excess professional accessories/attire to this fantastic organization. Hoping I can find more time to contribute more to their work.

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend seems the appropriate time to review one of Indy's iconic…read moreThanksgiving organizations - the Mozel Sanders Foundation, Inc. The Mozel Sanders Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1998 and has been feeding the hungry for over 40 years. The Mozel Sanders Foundation is most recognized for its Thanksgiving Day efforts. Last year alone, the Mozel Sanders Foundation served over 40,000 hot meals in Central Indiana. The organization is named after Rev. Dr. Mozel Sanders, a longtime Indianapolis pastor who was appointed pastor of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in 1959. A beloved community activist, Rev. Sanders received numerous honors and memorials in his name including having both a housing project and street named after him. While he did many things in Indy, Rev. Dr. Sanders was most known for his annual Thanksgiving Day dinner. Rev. Dr. Sanders passed away in 1988. His son, Rev. Roosevelt Sanders, became Mount Vernon's pastor and began the process of turning his father's Thanksgiving Day Dinner into an actual non-profit organization. Several years ago, the Foundation began monthly distributions of food items, hygiene items, and household cleaning supplies. The organization now includes 40 satellite distribution locations. Butler University has been the flagship location for food prep for the annual dinners, though during the pandemic this has been more limited. In 2010, Rev. Roosevelt Sanders passed away but the foundation continues. The Sanders family name still remains strong in the organization with Stephen Mozel James Sanders serving as CEO, Stephanie Sanders serving as Executive Director and Chair, and Roosevelt Sanders Jr. also serving as a director. In addition to the continued annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner, the foundation continues to make distributions monthly and is aiming for weekly distributions. They also sponsor an annual scholarship program. 2021 satellite locations include: Augusta Christian Church Capital City Church Christian Community Church Faded Dream Barber Salon First Christian MB Church Friendship Baptist Church Grace and Mercy Assembly Greater One Way Jesus House (Faith Center) Mt Zion Apostolic Church Roberts Park Methodist Church Tabernacle Presbyterian Church 2021 kitchen locations include: Aristocrat Pub & Restaurant Dawson's on Main Street Friendship Baptist Church Light of the World Church Michael Soul Food Muldoon's New Direction Church Outback Steak House - Castleton Real Taste Catering Roberts Park Methodist Church Tabernacle Presbyterian Church The Apostolics of Beech Grove In my early days, I benefited from the presence of the Mozel Sanders Foundation and as my life stabilized I was able to return the gift by volunteering. It's a wonderful organization with a long history of doing wonderful work in Indy and it continues to honor the life of Rev. Dr. Mozel Sanders.

We had a great experience here today. There is a small amount of parking behind the building. We…read morelearned a lot and even attended a talk today here. I didn't realize there is a small cafe on the second level. There is a lot of space here to read and work as well. Must see for any fan of Vonnegut or anyone wanting to learn about the history of Indiana Avenue!

i'll bet you didn't know there was a Kurt Vonnegut connection to Indianapolis!…read more Well, there is. And this is the place where you will find a variety of items connected with Vonnegut and his magnificent writing. you may remember some of the titles: Cats Cradle, Slaughterhouse Five, Breakfast of Champions. If you have the time and the inclination, or if you're a fan, this is an absolute must visit location while in the Circle City. ***