frequently asked questions
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What is Mother Hubbard's Cupboard?  Back To Top
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard is a community food pantry in south central Indiana. Our mission is to distribute wholesome, healthful food to people in need, as well as nutrition and gardening education. We provide services in ways that build community while enhancing the dignity, respect, and self-care of all involved. Food pantry patrons enjoy a simple sign-in process, free choice of food items, and the ability to visit the pantry once per week. We offer supplementary programs in Nutrition Education and Community Gardening to all patrons and community members.


What do I need to do to get food assistance?  Back To Top
We only ask two things: that clients meet one of our guidelines and that they agree to follow a simple set of rules. Guidelines and rules are posted at our pantry, on our website, and on our brochures. Clients do not need to bring any proof of need or income; we run on an honor system and trust our clients to be honest about their need. At the pantry, all clients will be asked to sign in on a simple form and then given the opportunity to select food items for their households.


Who is eligible to receive food from MHC?  Back To Top
We ask that all clients meet at least one of several guidelines to receive food. Guidelines and rules are posted at our pantry, on our website, and on our brochures. Our guidelines are broad to accommodate diverse circumstances and are not limited to income guidelines. Our intention is to provide support to a wide range of people, including people who may not qualify for other types of assistance. If you or someone you know needs help with food, please come visit us and we can help determine whether you qualify.


Where does MHC get its food?  Back To Top
MHC receives over 99% of our food through the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. This food product includes fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen items, fresh bread, dry goods, and nonperishables donated by local grocers, restaurants, food distributors, and individuals. MHC pays a small shared maintenance fee to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank to access this food product. Each year, MHC budgets upward of $30,000, to pay for food product that has a retail value of nearly 1 million dollars.


How is MHC different from the Hoosier Hills Food Bank?  Back To Top
The Hoosier Hills Food Bank collects, stores, and distributes rescued food to over 80 agencies serving disadvantaged populations in a six-county area. MHC is the largest agency partner of the HHFB, distributing over 30% of the HHFB’s food product each year. While the HHFB serves agencies, MHC serves clients directly. MHC relies on the hard work and infrastructure of the HHFB to accomplish our mission on a daily basis. MHC does not directly solicit food donations from grocers or retailers.


Does MHC provide only healthful food?  Back To Top
Our mission is to provide wholesome, healthful food to people in need. We access fresh, healthful food whenever possible, including fresh fruits and vegetables, organic dairy products, soy foods, and fresh baked breads. However, we carry a wide selection of food that appeals to a diverse client base, and we do not limit ourselves f to stocking only “healthful” or natural foods. We are also limited by the donated food stock we receive from the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, so in order to keep our shelves fuller, we might stock products that do not offer ideal nutritional quality.


How much of the food is organic?  Back To Top
This varies depending on the kind and quality of donations received by the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. MHC will prioritize organic and healthful selections whenever possible.


I heard there wasn’t much food at the pantry. Why does this happen?  Back To Top
We are dependent on donated food product from grocers, restaurants, food distributors, and individuals. When the amount of food donated to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank decreases, the amount of food we are able to distribute also decreases. Other food assistance organizations are similarly affected by such food shortages. While we continuously acquire more food, our client numbers continue to increase. Some days, our pantry is very well stocked; other days, the shelves are quite bare. The type and amount of food we will have on a certain day is impossible to predict, and there is no “best day” to visit the pantry. We receive a large delivery of food every day that we are open. We work closely with the Hoosier Hills Food Bank to help them access quality food that can then be distributed to people in need, through MHC and other food assistance organizations.


Why is the pantry only open from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday?  Back To Top
Our pantry hours are dependent on our food delivery schedule. We receive a food delivery from the Hoosier Hills Food Bank each day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and our staff requires adequate time to ready the pantry for our clients. Due to the high volume of clients we serve and the high volume of food we distribute, we cannot operate without a daily delivery of food. We have found that 4-6 p.m. is a convenient time for a majority of our clients. However, if a client is unable to visit us during those hours, we have a proxy system in place whereby another individual may shop for the absent client. Please visit us and ask for a proxy form and we will help accommodate any situation.


Is MHC a government program?  Back To Top
No. MHC is an independent nonprofit organization that is responsible for governing and funding its own programs. We exist as a supplement to social services provided by the government.


How is MHC funded?  Back To Top
MHC is funded by a combination of individual and corporate donations, grants from government programs and independent groups, in-kind (non-monetary) donations, and special event fundraising.


Who works at MHC?  Back To Top
MHC has two full time paid staff members who are responsible for pantry operations, nutrition and gardening programs, and general administration.  MHC is also staffed by a group of over 60 volunteers who work at the pantry, deliver food from the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and maintain our community gardens. Over 80% of our volunteers are also food pantry patrons, which helps us maintain an atmosphere of egalitarianism within the organization.


Who governs MHC?  Back To Top
Like all nonprofit organizations, MHC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. This group of active community members act as advocates for MHC is every way. They are primarily responsible for assuring that MHC fulfills its mission, is adequately funded, is legally and fiscally responsible, and maintains a positive public image. The Board of Directors helps assure a secure future for MHC by planning for growth and change in the short and long term. The Board of Directors contracts for an annual independent audit of MHC’s financials, assuring that MHC remains fiscally responsible and accountable.


How can I donate food to MHC?  Back To Top
You may drop off food donations between the hours of 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at our pantry, located at 1010 S. Walnut Street, next door to Bloomington Power Sports. We accept all donations of unopened food, as well as fresh produce. We also encourage donations to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, located at 615 N. Fairview Street.


How can I donate money to MHC?  Back To Top
Community donations are vital in sustaining MHC’s programs. You may write a check and send it to MHC at 1010 S. Walnut Street, Ste. G, Bloomington, IN 47401. We can also accept cash donations from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the same address.


How can I volunteer at MHC?  Back To Top
MHC welcomes volunteers of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds. Volunteers typically commit to a weekly shift of 1-3 hours, and we are flexible to accommodate your schedule. Fill out a volunteer application on our website at www.mhcfoodpantry.org, call us at 355-6843, email us at mhc@mhcfoodpantry.org, or stop by between 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and speak with one of our staff.

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