At Second Helpings, we’re proud to witness incredible stories of transformation every day—but this past Sunday, one of those stories took center stage at one of the most legendary sporting venues in the world. On July 27, in front of thousands gathered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the [...]
Charlie Chapel moved to Indianapolis looking for a new start as a single mother. “My daughter is the reason why I get up and do what I have to do,” she told us. Working as a waitress, she heard about Second Helpings’ Culinary Job Training (CJT) program and decided [...]
Austin at his Culinary Job Training graduation ceremony in March 2023 Austin Gaither loves to learn. After graduating college, he learned about Second Helpings’ Culinary Job Training (CJT) program on social media, and knew it would be a great next step towards pursuing a career in the culinary industry.As [...]
This story first appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of our “Peas & Carrots” newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. Have you ever wondered how electronic items like TVs or phones are recycled? In Indianapolis, you don’t have to look far for the answer. Located just three [...]
Every month, our team pulls together a report across our programs. December 2024 was a record December across our 26-year history in four metrics: pounds of food rescued, meals distributed, pounds of food re-directed, and volunteer hours. December 2024 compared to the last two years: December 2024 [...]
Due to the winter storm in Indianapolis and beyond, Second Helpings' office will be closed Monday, January 6, 2025. All volunteer shifts are cancelled. Culinary Job Training students will have an e-learning day. And our team is in contact with partners to make sure all needed meals are delivered. [...]
For Executive Chef Kathy Jones, supporting Second Helpings is “a perfect fit, all the way.”Jones, who previously served as Second Helpings’ Executive Chef from 2017-2022, says “everything about Second Helpings is a good fit for Iozzo’s.”Iozzo’s Garden of Italy is a family-owned Italian restaurant in the Old Southside neighborhood of [...]
Get to know the people behind the mission! Each month we’ll introduce a member of our incredible, hard-working team. Meet the whole Second Helpings staff here. Name: Jon Askelson Title: Culinary Job Training Instructor How long have you worked at Second Helpings? Just over a year and a half. [...]
CJT Team at the Juneteenth Foodways Festival Our Culinary Job Training team has been out in the community this summer! Here’s a glimpse of what the team has been up to lately: On Friday, June 14, our Culinary Job Training Chefs Kyle Burnett and Jon Askelson, along [...]
This story first appeared in the Spring 2024 edition of our “Peas & Carrots” newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. In 2013, Lawanzer “Lou” Perkins Johnson was looking for a fresh start. After 20 years of unfulfilling work in call centers, she knew there was a bigger [...]