By Jordyn Grant and Claire Robertson, Marketing & Communications Interns
In the heart of Hamilton County, there is a growing collaboration that reshapes how neighbors should support each other. Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville and Fishers has joined with several local partners to make this Season of Giving more accessible and more impactful than ever before. Season of Giving is an annual campaign that the library created to celebrate the spirit of generosity. This year, they have partnered with four local organizations, including Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office, HamCo Love, and the Noblesville Township Trustee’s Office. Their hope with this campaign is that the community will donate food, clothing, and other must-haves during the holiday season to help those in need.
Recently, both library branches have created a space for donation barrels, allowing the community to make an impact with something as simple as dropping off a can of soup, a box of pasta, period products, and more. For all the partners, these everyday contributions matter.
Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank is devoted to working with the community to feed those facing hunger by ensuring that students, families, and individuals are taken care of. The permanent donation barrels at the library help encourage this goal. “This allows patrons to be able to donate food that will help our pantries that we serve within the county,” said Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank Executive Director Suzanna Hobson. “We serve over forty pantries and several school systems.” These donations help ensure that no family is left without the support that everyone deserves.
Delaware Township Trustee’s Office staff
The Season of Giving collaboration is built on the compassion and the shared commitment to helping others that the library and these local partners share. The purpose of the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office is to provide a place that ensures that the community’s needs are met. They achieve this by hosting a pantry of canned goods and other hygiene items, such as toilet paper, diapers, toothpaste, etc. Beth Myers of the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office explains, “The most valuable part of this partnership is our shared vision. By working together, we’re able to combine our strengths and resources, creating a stronger, more comprehensive support system for our neighbors.”
That shared mission also shines the spotlight on the overlooked needs of the community, especially expanding access to period care products. HamCo Love is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing necessary period care products to Hamilton County. Nationally, 2 out of 5 people report not being able to afford enough period products; this is a problem they are determined to fix. Jennifer Harmon of HamCo Love shares why she is so passionate about this campaign. “Period care products are an often-overlooked area of giving, so it is very meaningful for us to be included,” Harmon said. “This partnership strengthens community connection and helps promote local giving.”
HSE externs filming at the Delaware Township Food Pantry.
Through the Season of Giving, these partners hope that their work leaves a legacy, where the Hamilton County community never feels unseen or unsupported. Noblesville Township Trustee’s Office Executive Theresa Caldwell shared their company’s goal for the Season. “We just hope our office leaves an impact, that we walked away helping everyone that we could,” Caldwell said. “That we didn’t turn somebody away because we didn’t have food or because we didn’t have a coat, but that we went out, and we did everything we could to help every individual.”
Together, HEPL and their partners are creating a stronger community, one donation and act of kindness at a time. Help do your part in this Season of Giving by checking out the full list of donation needs. Every item makes a difference. Donation barrels will be available at both library branches until January 11.
About the Authors
My name is Claire Robertson. I’m a senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School. I am currently working with the Hamilton East Public Library through Southeastern Media Network’s externship class. I have been writing for many years now as both a hobby and for my media classes. Next year, I plan to study Public Relations in college with a focus in entertainment and social media.
My name is Jordyn Grant, and I’m a senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School. I’m currently involved with the Hamilton Southeastern Media Network externship program where I get hands-on experience in media and communication. I’ve been passionate about writing since I was a kid, and I’ve recently grown into a strong interest for sports photography. Next year, I plan to study Public Relations/Strategic Communications, with a focus on social media.