Blackford County Pantry Gets $20,000 Match
From the Hartford City food pantry Facebook Live update on October 19, 2026
Feeding Blackford County has received a $20,000 matching Lilly grant and is preparing to provide 300 Thanksgiving meals and 300 Christmas meals, pantry President Chris Holtzleiter said during an Oct. 19 update with Mayor Dan Eckstein.
Holtzleiter said donations go through the Blackford County Community Foundation and are used countywide. She said the pantry could use donations to help cover the holiday meals. An Election Day “Vote to End Hunger” food drive is planned at the polling place near IU Hospital.
The pantry at the IU facility in Hartford City is open the first and third Monday from 9 a.m. to noon, the first and third Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m., and every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon. Households may visit once per month.
Holtzleiter also announced approval for Hunters Feeding the Hungry donations. Hunters with extra deer can take them to Wright Brothers Buck Stop in Redkey for free processing for Feeding Blackford County. The pantry had already received its first donated deer from Jacob Buckles, she said.
Roadkill deer cannot go through Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Holtzleiter said Venus at the Montpelier pantry could accept those with sheriff's-department coordination.
Source: YouTube transcript — Hartford City - Facebook Live - Dan Eckstein / Food Pantry - October 19, 2026
Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.
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