Gleaners.wikiAn independent, sourced reference on Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana and hunger relief in Central Indiana

History

From Gleaners.wiki, an independent, sourced reference on Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana and charitable food in Central and Southeastern Indiana

Compiled by the Gleaners Food Bank Wiki editorial team · First published · Revised

Summary: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana was established in 1980 and, according to independent historical summaries, became a Feeding America affiliate in 1981. Fred Glass became president and CEO on 1 October 2022.

A note on independence: Gleaners.wiki is an independent reference compiled from public records, government and evaluator publications, and the organization’s own pages. It is not the official website of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, and statements the organization makes about itself are attributed to it. Hours, programs and financial figures can change; confirm services with Gleaners at (317) 925-0191 and confirm tax status from IRS or evaluator pages. This is general information, not legal, tax or benefits advice. See the editorial standards.

When and why was the food bank started?

Gleaners says it was established in 1980.[1] Candid and IRS-derived pages list a 501(c)(3) ruling year of 1980, and ProPublica notes a tax-exemption issued in November 1980.[2][3] The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, which Wikipedia also draws on, says funding to establish the food bank came from Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, then known as Community Action Against Poverty, a legacy of federal anti-poverty programs, and that in its first year the food bank distributed 83,021 pounds of food to 35 agencies.[4][5]

Those early figures are historical, not a measure of today’s volume. They do show that the organization began as a relatively small warehouse operation compared with the 21-county network it now describes.[1] This wiki does not invent a precise opening day in 1980 beyond the year the organization and the tax record both use.

When did it join Feeding America?

Independent historical summaries say the food bank received grants from the Lilly Endowment and Christ Church Cathedral the following year and became an affiliate of Feeding America, described there as the nation’s first food-bank network.[4][5] Gleaners’ own story page states that it is a Feeding America food bank and that Fresh Connect Central, started in 2017, distributes to Gleaners and Feeding America banks in Indiana and nationwide.[1][6]

Wikipedia also mentions later facility renovations in 1992 with about $1 million in grants and gifts and joint ownership of a building with the Central Indiana Community Foundation.[5][4] Those details are attributed to the encyclopedia tradition, not to a document this project independently re-read in full, and should be checked against that entry if used for a precise dollar figure.

Who has led the organization?

Wikipedia, citing local reporting, says Pam Altmeyer was the first CEO until 2010, Cynthia Hubert served until 2016, and John Elliot served from 2016 to 2022 as the third president.[5] In May 2022, WTHR reported that Fred Glass had been named CEO.[7] The official biography says he became president and CEO on 1 October 2022.[8] Wikipedia mentioned a planned 1 September 2022 start; this wiki records both dates and uses the official biography for the date he took office.[5][8]

Glass’s official biography describes him as an Indianapolis attorney and civic leader, a former Indiana University vice president and athletic director (2009 through the bicentennial year 2020), a former chief of staff to Governor Evan Bayh, and a graduate of Indiana University (1981) and its McKinney School of Law (1984).[8] Those career details are the organization’s own account of an Indianapolis civic career, summarized here with a citation, not a resume audit. The role is the chief executive of a Feeding America food bank, not a government appointment.

How has the recent mission been described?

The current story page emphasizes two operational facts: based on rising need and declining food donations and federal support since the pandemic, Gleaners now purchases nearly half of the food it distributes, and it created what it calls the nation’s first Satisfaction Guarantee for charitable food, replacing food that does not meet reasonable shelf-life expectations upon delivery.[1] Fresh Connect Central is described as a social enterprise started in 2017 that sources recovered produce, protein, dairy and dry goods.[1]

Wikipedia’s account of COVID-19 operations — closing to in-person pantry visits in March 2020 and reopening in September 2021, with later volunteer shortages — is contemporaneous reporting, not the organization’s current program list, and is cited only as historical context.[5]

Questions often asked

What founding year does this wiki use?

1980, from the organization and from the 501(c)(3) ruling year.

When did Fred Glass take office?

1 October 2022, according to the official biography. News coverage in May 2022 announced the appointment.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Our Story. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana (gleaners.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  2. ^ Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc. (EIN 35-1483868). Candid / GuideStar. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  3. ^ Gleaners Food Bank Of Indiana Inc, Nonprofit Explorer. ProPublica. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  4. ^ a b c Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Gleaners Food Bank. Wikipedia. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  6. ^ Our Programs. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana (gleaners.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  7. ^ Fred Glass named new CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana (26 May 2022). WTHR. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  8. ^ a b c Fred Glass, President & CEO. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana (gleaners.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.