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1983 — born of the factory shutdowns
Founding: Community Harvest was incorporated in 1983, founded by leaders of the city's business, religious and government sectors in the wake of the factory closures that defined Fort Wayne's early-1980s — its own current materials name the International Harvester plant closure specifically. It began as emergency distribution from the beds of pickup trucks; in its first year it distributed 200,000 pounds of food, and by 1985 it passed its first million pounds.
Course: From the Tillman Road headquarters (999 East Tillman Road) it became the regional food bank for nine counties — Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley. In 2005 it was named America's Second Harvest Food Bank of the Year, the smallest food bank ever to win the award. Its 2022 reported scale: 13 million pounds distributed to over 91,500 individuals, nearly 21,000 people fed weekly.
Sources:
- Community Harvest Food Bank and Feeding Indiana's Hungry — incorporated 1983; founded by business, religious and government leaders after the shutdowns; the International Harvester closure; the pickup-truck beginnings; 200,000 pounds the first year; the 2005 Food Bank of the Year honor.
- Indiana Michigan Power / AEP community release, 2022 — 13 million pounds, 91,500 individuals, nearly 21,000 fed weekly.