At Second Helpings, we believe in doing everything we can to fight hunger from all angles—while also being thoughtful stewards of the resources entrusted to us. That’s why we’re thrilled to share some exciting news: Second Helpings has been selected as one of ten local nonprofits to participate in the Thriving Nonprofits energy efficiency initiative, a brand-new program launched by the City of Indianapolis and IFF, with generous support from the McKinney Family Foundation and Glick Philanthropies.
Fighting Hunger, Saving Energy
Thanks to this opportunity, we’ll receive a comprehensive energy assessment from IFF’s Real Estate Solutions team. Their experts will help us pinpoint where our facility can operate more efficiently—whether it’s through lighting, HVAC systems, insulation, appliances, or more.
But that’s not all. The grant also includes:
A matching grant of up to $10,000 to implement key upgrades
Access to flexible financing options through IFF for larger capital improvements
Participation in a learning cohort with other local nonprofits to exchange ideas and experiences
Support in tracking outcomes and savings over time
This program is designed to help nonprofits lower operating costs so we can direct even more of our resources toward our mission: preparing and delivering thousands of nutritious meals each day and training adults for meaningful careers in the culinary industry.
Sustainability is at the Heart of Our Mission
Since our founding, sustainability has been one of our guiding values. We rescue more than 4 million pounds of food each year—food that would otherwise go to waste—and transform it into meals for our neighbors. Reducing food waste already lightens our environmental footprint, and these new building improvements will help us save energy and reduce utility costs, too.
By investing in energy-efficient infrastructure, we not only lower our bills—we create a better environment for our staff, volunteers, students, and the community we serve.
What’s Next
Over the coming months, we’ll work closely with IFF and our partners to complete our facility assessment, determine which upgrades will have the biggest impact, and begin implementing improvements. We’re proud to take this next step toward a more sustainable, cost-effective future for Second Helpings.
We’re incredibly grateful to the City of Indianapolis, IFF, the McKinney Family Foundation, and Glick Philanthropies for supporting this initiative and believing in the power of nonprofits to drive change—inside our facilities and across our communities.
Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting work unfolds. Together, we’ll continue building a stronger, more sustainable future for all.