Friendship Connection
Providing supplemental food and nutritional education.
YOU MUST BE A NOBLE COUNTY RESIDENT IN THE 46755 ZIP CODE TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SHOP THE FOOD PANTRY.
Our motto is to “Help Us Help Others Eat Healthy!” Our heart-healthy, diabetic-friendly and gluten-free sections help us keep our neighbors in tip top health!
How it Works
Proof of Address
You must bring proof of address (and a photo identification) at every visit to verify that you are a Noble County resident who lives in the 46755 zip code.
Proof of Address may include either of the following:
A printed utility bill. The bill must reflect the current month and be issued in the name of a person living in the home.
A piece of mail addressed to you that is dated within the last 30 days.
Present an online billing account; we will accept an online billing account as Proof of Address if produced on a mobile device while on site, as long as it contains your name, your address, and a transaction date within the past 30 days.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT CHECK STUBS, RENT RECEIPTS, OR A PHOTO ID (alone) AS PROOF OF ADDRESS.
Identification
Bring a current photo identification (ID) for all adults 18 and older. For children under the age of 18, you must provide one of the following:
Birth Certificate
Social Security Card
Passport
Legal Documents
Medicaid card with the individual’s name
School Social Worker letter stating the child is in the household
NOTE: You must provide ID for all members of the household. If you arrive without all ID's on your first visit, you will be allowed to shop only for the members of the household for whom you have presented ID's that day. If the address on your photo ID does not match your proof of address, you may shop on your first visit only.
What to Expect
PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE MORE THAN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF ANY GIVEN SHIFT. YOU MUST ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE END OF A SHIFT IN ORDER TO SHOP.
Access to shop is not provided on a first come, first serve basis. You will be assigned a number, and numbers will be chosen at random by a lottery system. Please be prepared to patiently wait your turn to shop. When your lottery number is called, you will be given a point number paper with your name on it to give to the team at the end of your visit. Our shopping assistants will help you along the way. The number of points you are allowed is based on your family size.
Once you have all of your items, volunteers will weigh them for our records, then you will be on your way!
FIRST VISIT:
A member of our team will walk you through an application while you wait for your number to be called. You must provide ID for all members of the household. If you arrive without the ID's on your first visit, you will be allowed to shop only for the members of the household for whom you have presented ID's that day. If the address on your photo ID does not match your proof of address, you may shop on your first visit only.
You will not be allowed to shop again until ID's for ALL members of the household are presented and all photo ID's in the household match your proof of address. If you need assistance updating IDs, please see visit the Common Grace services page to learn how we can help with that process or ask one of our team members.
RETURN VISITS:
It is your responsibility to keep ALL ID's current and on file with us for EVERY member of the household.
The address on every photo ID must match your Proof of Address. Once all ID's are updated and placed in our file, you are only required to bring a current photo ID and Proof of Address to shop, each time you shop.
You may shop twice per month.
When your lottery number is called, you will be given a point number paper with your name on it to give to the team at the end of your visit. Our shopping assistants will help you along the way. The number of points you are allowed is based on your family size.
Once you have all of your items, volunteers will weigh them for our records, then you will be on your way!
Being dishonest on an application for services, or at any time during your relationship with any ministry of Common Grace Ministries, and/or being disrespectful to staff, volunteers, or other neighbors at any time may result in the termination of any services.
Conditions That May End Services
Friendship Connection
Location & Hours
2004 E Dowling Street
Kendallville, IN 46755
Mailing Address
PO Box 203
Kendallville, IN 46755
Phone
(260) 349-1942
Email
info@commongraceministries.org
Kendallville
HOURS
Wednesday*
1:30 - 5:30 PM
Friday*
2:00 - 4:00 PM
*There are eight shopping days per month. Friendship Connection is closed on any fifth Wednesday or fifth Friday of the month. Consult our Events page to confirm closed dates, posted in advance. A door sign will also be posted on these days of closure.
PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE MORE THAN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF ANY GIVEN SHIFT. YOU MUST ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE END OF A SHIFT IN ORDER TO SHOP.