SOUTH BEND — The Food Bank of Northern Indiana received a donation of $50,000 in emergency funds from the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation, on behalf of Indiana Michigan Power to help the local community amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We thank the AEP Foundation and I&M for this generous donation to help provide much-needed resources to those impacted by the virus,” said Marijo Martinec, Food Bank of Northern Indiana executive director and CEO. “With these funds, the food bank will further be able to serve families in six counties ensuring they have healthy meals on the table. We are incredibly humbled.”

In total, the AEP Foundation is donating $240,000 to support basic human needs like food, shelter and housing assistance across I&M’s service territory. Overall, the AEP Foundation will donate $1.5 million to communities served by AEP in 11 states.

“During this pandemic, we are also seeing what makes us all proud of our nation, our state and of our local communities – coming together and helping our neighbors,” said Toby Thomas, I&M president and COO. “With the AEP Foundation grant I&M is able to help provide for the communities we serve, live and work in by ensuring basic needs are met so we can focus on what’s important during this challenging time – staying safe and healthy.”

 For more information about the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, visit feedindiana.org.