By: Bob Scott—
Muncie, IN – A grant from the AEP Foundation has enabled the Muncie Mission to buy a new delivery truck that will enhance the agency’s ability to pick up donated food, furniture, appliances, recyclables and more.
Toby Thomas, President and Chief Operating Officer of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), presented the grant Friday to Frank Baldwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Muncie Mission. Thomas and Baldwin helped load the new truck with items to be delivered to some of the Mission’s Attic Window Thrift Stores.
The 20-foot box truck upgrades an aging fleet and increases the Muncie Mission’s hauling capacity – the newest and largest of five box trucks circulating through East Central Indiana. This is the first time in memory the Muncie Mission has been able to purchase a new truck.
“What a blessing! This tremendous support from AEP Foundation has allowed us to address a critical infrastructure need – ensuring we can continue to gather larger contributions of food, clothing, and furnishings from our generous communities, and distribute them for greatest impact for our neighbors in desperate need,” Baldwin said.
Noting the prominent display of the Muncie Mission’s activities and contact information on the truck, Baldwin added: “The outside is a visible reminder that everyone can make a difference. But inside will be the real treasures – the food, clothing and furnishings donated by our caring communities.”
Historical photo of an early Chevrolet model Muncie Mission delivery truck. Photo courtesy of Frank Baldwin
“Meeting basic needs of citizens in our communities is a primary goal of the AEP Foundation, and the Muncie Mission does so much for the residents of Muncie as well as surrounding communities,” Thomas said. “We at I&M are very pleased that the AEP Foundation’s grant will help serve residents with the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing.”
The AEP Foundation provided $35,000 for the new Isuzu truck.
One of the most important roles of the Muncie Mission’s delivery trucks is to pick up food donated from various organizations’ food drives as well as bulk food donations by area food-processing companies, butchers and distribution centers. Their donations fill the Mission’s kitchen and food pantry and enable the organization to serve 250-300 meals every day.
Another key role of the trucks is to pick up donated furniture, appliances and other items from individual homes, take them to the processing center for repair or salvage and deliver them to the Attic Window Thrift Stores.
Muncie Mission trucks also make regular pickups at dozens of business locations to recycle cardboard, office paper and metals.
About the Muncie Mission
Since 1930 Muncie Mission Ministries has offered compassionate care to men, women, and families in need in Muncie and surrounding communities. Programs include emergency shelter for homeless men, a residential recovery program for men battling addictions, transitional housing for men and women, free weekday and holiday meals for community residents, and drop-in services for families that include food, clothing, household items, toiletries, and utility assistance. The Mission is supported by generous individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations, and through the proceeds from operations of five Attic Window Thrift Stores and the New Life Recycling Center.
About the AEP Foundation
The AEP Foundation is funded by American Electric Power and its utility operating units, including Indiana Michigan Power. The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, and the environment and by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing, and the elimination of hunger.
About Indiana Michigan Power
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its 2,450 employees serve more than 593,900 customers. More than half of its generation is emission-free, including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, 22 MW of hydro generation in both states, and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,600 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.
