$10 – Craftsman
$25 – Colonial Mission
$50 – Tudor Revival
$100+ – American Four-Square

Funds collected by the Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association are used to offset annual operational expenses like the rental of a packer truck for alley clean-ups, obtaining gardening supplies for the medians and tree planting activities, signage, social events, Web site maintenance and more. To the extent possible, it is the board’s intention to use monies raised from special events such as the home tour to fund larger beautification and infrastructure initiatives.

Dues can be paid by any one of the following options:

• Online via PayPal at www.historicmeridianpark.org under For Residents > Dues;
• Bring with you to any general meeting or social event; or
• Mail to VP and Treasurer John Carmer, 3015 N Pennsylvania Street, Apt. 12, Indianapolis, IN 46205

Attendees are welcome to bring snacks or desserts to share at this neighborhood pitch-in and social event. If you are a new to the neighborhood or know someone who is, please contact Wade Clark at 997-8957.

The neighborhood extends its gratitude to Wade Clark and Jillian’s for hosting the event and providing food and games for everyone to enjoy!

Don’t miss this tour! Interested in volunteering? There are a number of opportunities available from marketing and PR to home tour set-up and tear down. To discuss your interests and opportunities available, please call Cassie Mehlman-Rhys at 997-2791.

Upon completion, the property—which is owned by Trinity Episcopal Church —will serve up to seven homeless teens who are pregnant or parenting and their children. The structure had been divided into four living units, but renovations are transforming it into a seven-bedroom home while maintaining or reviving some of its original architectural features. A small fenced area with a playground is also planned. Work should be completed in 4 months.

Project Home Indy’s goal is to provide a nurturing residential environment to enable homeless teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting to gain self-sufficiency. HMP’s residents are invited to follow the project’s progress at projecthomeindy.org and Facebook.

Unlike past years, the 2009 holiday party is not a pitch-in! Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by Jillian’s (food prepared off-site cannot be brought into Jillian’s). Also, games will be available at no-charge to HMP members and their families (prize redemption games are not included). Neighborhood elections will take place at 6 pm.

Jillian’s is located at 141 S. Meridian Street. HMP extends its gratitude to Delaware Street neighbor and Jillian’s general manager, Wade Clark, for making this venue available to us.

HMP’s alleys are cleaned twice a year as a service of the neighborhood association. While membership dues help pay for some of the cleaning supplies and the occasional packer truck rental, HMP relies on the dedication of volunteers to provide the labor needed to beautify our alleys. HMP sincerely appreciates the help of everyone who lent a hand!

The meeting was held at the Mehlman-Rhys house on Delaware Street and was organized by Brenda Truedell-Bell. The neighborhood appreciates Brenda for putting together the informative meeting and Cassie and Lee for opening up their home!

The MNFP is the second-largest food pantry in the metropolitan Indianapolis area. According to MNFP Board President Karen McCune, this new location provides easy access to bus routes so clients can reach it easily. There’s also plenty of free off-street parking for those who drive. The new home provides more space for all operations and the opportunity to offer clients a “shopping” experience when selecting food and other items.

The mission of the MNFP is “to enhance the health of our mid-north neighborhoods by providing supplemental food and basic necessities to our neighbors in need.” Its service area extends from 22nd Street on the south, 52nd Street on the north, Boulevard Place on the west, and Andrew J. Brown Boulevard on the east. It currently serves more than 2000 individuals – that’s more than 500 families – each month. These figures represent a significant increase over previous years. According to LaTasha Mobley, pantry manager, there’s every indication that this trend will continue. MNFP operates on a shoe-string budget so the bulk of its funding can be channeled into providing food for neighbors in need. Mobley, as pantry manager, is the only paid employee. An all-volunteer staff carries out many pantry operations.

Formerly located at 3421 N. Park Avenue (on the east side of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church), the pantry had several homes over the years. The first was a closet at Broadway United Methodist Church, followed by a brief sojourn at Our Redeemer (where the Family Drop-In Center is now). Next, the pantry was situated in the basement of the original building that’s now part of Raphael Health Clinic for several years. It moved back to Our Redeemer in 2000 and remained there until August 1, 2009 when the move to 3333 N. Meridian was complete.

The Mid-North Food Pantry had its beginnings in the 1970s with the formation of the Mid-North Church Council, then called simply the Tri-Church Council. As the membership of the Council increased and the name changed to Mid-North Church Council, the number of church-based food pantries serving the neighborhood also grew. In the early 1980s, the member churches determined that the small food pantries of each congregation could better serve the Mapleton-Fall Creek area by combining their resources and establishing a single, central outlet for food, household items, and some clothing. It has been called the Mid-North Food Pantry ever since, receiving its 501(c)(3) designation as a non-profit, faith-based agency in 2003. It remains the only Affiliated Agency of the Mid-North Church Council.

Main support for the pantry is provided by the eight member churches of the Mid-North Church Council. Other churches, faith-based groups, schools, and business groups give additional funding. Food drives by organizations supplement scheduled donations. To keep up with the increased volume of need, the rising cost of food, and the commitment to provide nutritious food for clients, the Pantry always welcomes additional support. Because its purchasing power as a pantry is greater than that of most individuals, cash contributions carry the biggest bang, but food donations also help round out the menu of offerings. If you’d like to donate to this important cause, send your checks (made out to Mid-North Food Pantry, Inc.) to Mid-North Food Pantry, 3333 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. To volunteer or donate food, contact Mobley at or (317) 924.7900 or manna3421@aol.com.