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When you choose to give, you become part of something bigger—something powerful.

Feed the Region is growing and we want you to be a part of it! The Pierogi Pop-Ups are proving to be our best way to produce the funds needed to get to our ultimate goal: a weekly Feed the Region meal in every county in NWI: Lake, Porter, Laporte, Jasper, Newton, and Starke.

Here is a breakdown of our goals:

  1. Become a 501©(3) designated non-profit (currently in process!) Update: We have teamed up with the local 501©3 designated non-profit Santa Delivers All Year Round to provide door to door comfort through the Last Chance Food Program. Because of this partnership, Santa Delivers AYR has offered to be our Fiscal Sponsor! You can now make a tax free donation to Feed the Region!

  2. Expand the pierogi pop-ups to increase organizational profit (Thank you Living Hope Community Church in Valpo for being the first to offer! We are still looking for places to 💥POP💥 around The Region)

  3. Purchase a stand up locking commercial deep freezer. ($3k needed Thanks to a generous $2500 donation from Albert’s Diamond Jewelry and you all for purchasing Chef Steph pierogi, weareofficiallyfreezershopping! Thanks to Benelli’s Pizzaria negotiating on our behalf, we were able to purchase a brand new freezer AT COST and we were able to use the extra money to provide storm relief to NWI after the Aug 11th storms 💛) Freezer space is was our single most limiting factor. Onceobtained, Now pierogi pop ups and pre-orders can increase which will help us start up in more places!

  4. Find additional FTR meal hubs around the Region, focusing on county expansion: large commercial kitchens that can accommodate a team of 7.

  5. Hire people who need flexible well-paid work to make ends meet. Obtain an organizational grant or large donation to hire our Director, Director of Finance, and Administrative Director. These full-time employees will give us the ability to respond quicker, train faster, and grow at a healthy pace to do the most good for NWI.

3% Cover the Fee

Why give?

  • ✽

    Make A Difference

    Your donation helps create real, measurable change in the lives of those we serve.

  • ✽

    Support A Cause You Love

    Give back to something that aligns with your values and passions.

  • ✽

    Be Part of A Solution

    Join a community of people working together to address important issues.

  • ✽

    Create Lasting Impact

    Your contribution helps build long-term solutions, not just quick fixes.

  • ✽

    Fund Grassroots Work

    Support local, hands-on efforts that make a difference where it matters most.

  • ✽

    Inspire Others

    Your generosity can motivate friends, family, and colleagues to do the same.

Make a Donation

When you choose to give, you become part of something bigger—something powerful. Your support fuels progress and brings hope where it's needed most.

3% Cover the Fee

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Thanks to our partnership with Santa Delivers AYR, we are now able to make your gift tax-deductible. If you are making your gift out in the form of a check, please make it out in the name of our Fiscal Sponsor: Santa Delivers AYR and put Feed the Region in the memo line. Please include a valid email with your gift so that you are able to receive your tax-deductible receipt.

  • Your donation for Fresh Ingredients, Rent, or packaging will be used that same week. Your open donation or pierogi will be used for weekly meals or will be saved to accomplish any of the above goals.

  • Please do! At this time due to our staff being 100% volunteers, we do not have training sessions. To work in the kitchen (18+) please just show up on a meal day to start. For more information you can reach out to Chef Steph via text 219-765-4419. Free Warm Meals Provided Thursdays @ 7pm-8:30 Inside Nana Clare’s Kitchen 3907 Calumet Ave Valparaiso, IN 46383

  • Absolutely! Please check out the This Week’s Meal page to see what we need this week.

  • Yes, in fact this is very encouraged.

    Chef Steph started Feed the Region in memory of her mother, Cindy Talarek. Cindy was a registered nurse in our community who passed away at the early age of 47 because of lack of healthcare in dealing with her chronic disease of lupus. Chef Steph takes time to hi-light the beautiful parts of her legacy. Cindy crafted and sold items to help fund her neighbors’ medical care even when she couldn’t afford her own. She visited neighbors when they were going through a rough time even though it was often hard for her to get around and was consistently in pain herself. She believed in the power of community, and a really good meal.

    Many neighbors have chosen to sponsor meals in memory of their loved ones. These meals are infused with even more meaning and love.