IU Health grant supports Pantry 279

BLOOMINGTON— Members of IU Health and Pantry 279 gathered in Bloomington in February to commemorate a $250,000 grant focused on helping this organization in its mission to help those in need.

The IU Health grant will be given to Pantry 279 over three years to purchase equipment to increase services and the variety of foods available for patrons in Monroe and nearby counties during food delivery and pick-up.

Photographed left to right, IU Health South Region Senior Project Manager Shawna Girgis; IU Health Foundation South Region Philanthropy Manager Emily Trinkle; IU Health South Region Chief of Staff Brianna Solola; IU Health South Region President Denzil Ross; Pantry 279 Director Cindy Chavez; Pantry 279 Board Member Pamela Davidson; and Pantry 279 Board Member and Treasurer Tina Gilliland.

“We were very excited to partner with Pantry 279 and support them as they expanded the great work already being done to a grander scale and audience,” said IU Health South Region President Denzil Ross.

“Thank you for all you do to help those experiencing food insecurity, as well as your work in providing clothing and other resources to our communities. Pantry 279 proudly served close to 118,000 people last year from 36 counties, and that’s just the food part of our organization,” said Pantry 279 Director Cindy Chavez. “Since our start in 2015, we’ve expanded how many people we serve and what we offer, and the generosity of individuals and organizations in our communities are essential to our success.”

The grants come from the $200 million Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF) administered by Indiana University Health Foundation to address key social and environmental factors that impact people’s health outcomes. Yearly grants from the Foundation come from the fund’s invested capital earnings.