As we head into the holiday season, many of us reflect on the past year and feel grateful for all that we have. Whether it’s a home to keep us warm or a loving community, there’s so much to be thankful for. Unfortunately, the reality for many is far different.

According to an annual census, more than 1,700 people in Marion County experienced homelessness on a single night in January. Many are forced to survive in makeshift tents made from torn tarps and branches, or on dirty mattresses discarded along the road. These conditions are distressing, especially as temperatures frequently dip below freezing during the winter months.

Fortunately, there is hope. Organizations like Food 4 Souls, our December Charity of the Month, are working hard to make a difference. Founded by our Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting Kevin Sliwa, Food 4 Souls is dedicated to serving the homeless community with unconditional love and acceptance, providing the resources individuals need to move beyond homelessness.

Food 4 Souls’ programming serves individuals ranging from active recovery programs and transitional housing to individuals living in homeless camps. What exactly is a homeless “camp”? According to Indy.gov, it refers “to a place on public property where homeless residents have established temporary accommodations of tents or other structures in which homeless residents are sleeping overnight or storing their property.” For these individuals and families, it is a better option when it comes to being exposed to the scorching sun in the summer or the frigid chill of winter. Instead of being on the streets, they have at least formed a community with one another, as Food 4 Souls has learned.

However, these living conditions are less than ideal, and there is much concern for individuals living in these camps. The Office of Public Health and Safety finds that these living environments not only present a public health concern but a safety one, too—for both the residents and the public. Our Charity of the Month, Food 4 Souls, attempts to break down social barriers associated with homelessness and these camps to kickstart proactive change for this community.

Food 4 Souls recognizes that to make a change, accessibility to resources is key when it comes to fulfilling the needs of the individuals and families they serve. That is why Food 4 Souls solely operates as a mobile outreach organization via their minibus and other volunteers’ vehicles. Through their outreach, they are able to offer a hot meal, supplies, and connections to resources that assist in accessing essential documentation, housing, recovery, and so much more. Every week, the Food 4 Souls team visits the same four locations, serving warm bowls of chicken noodle soup, buttered brioche rolls, and a dessert to fill the bellies of families and individuals in need. However, the love doesn’t end there. Along with the hot meal comes socks and other clothing items, as well as necessary hygiene items.

While tangible items fulfill temporary needs, there is intention behind why they go out weekly. The team’s consistent involvement and commitment plays a vital role in building trust and connection with the individuals experiencing homelessness. Part of Food 4 Souls’ vision is to form connections that proactively transform individual’s lives. It’s through their conversations, whether that be a weekly update or a mental health check-in, that fosters hope within these unhoused individuals. 

While internal transformation is monumental in breaking the cycle of homelessness, external transformation matters just as much. Continuing to extend their love and acceptance on wheels, the Food 4 Souls team also offers individuals a safe place to take showers with their mobile showers and available toiletry products. An opportunity to feel cleansed externally might be the catalyst to feeling refreshed internally.

Part of the transformative process in living life beyond homelessness involves building mental and physical resilience. A Food 4 Souls initiative, Daniel’s House is driven by its mission to create a refuge that helps build strength and confidence. Daniel’s House welcomes all Food 4 Souls friends in the Indianapolis area that are experiencing homelessness, living within transitional housing, or are in active recovery programs. There are four pillars of service that guide the mission of Daniel’s House:

Like their mobile outreach, the programming underneath this roof meets the various needs of the individuals Food 4 Souls serves. Fulfilling its vision of a restorative community, programming ranges from life skill and financial literacy classes to art therapy and monthly haircuts. The bonds formed within this household truly capture the hope these individuals need to fulfill their personal purpose, a concept known all too well by Food 4 Souls Founder, Kevin Sliwa.

At MJ, we place emphasis on not only identifying your professional purpose, but your personal one as well. We know there’s more to life than your day job, and when you sit and reflect on your career and life, we want all our associates to feel fulfilled both professionally and personally by what they’ve accomplished. Reflecting on what he wanted to accomplish when it came to his future, Kevin Sliwa, Senior Vice President of Benefits Consulting, realized he wanted to make a difference outside of the office. The idea behind Food 4 Souls started on a napkin sketch, surrounded by collaborative ideas made by Kevin and his colleague. Since its founding, Food 4 Souls has served over 30,000 meals in the Indianapolis community and assisted in transitioning over 300 people off the streets and out of camps. Kevin’s passion has expanded to other MJ associates, providing an opportunity for them to get involved and continue to make a difference in the lives of many. We, and many others, think that when Kevin reflects on his life and career, he certainly has much to be proud of!

Since 2012, Food 4 Souls has been serving individuals and families living in homeless camps, however they can’t do it alone. Here’s how you can get involved: