By Jayd Hovey
St. Martin’s Community Center, located in Marion, is a place of relief and assistance to those in need within the community.
Founded in 1967, the community center’s goal is to meet the basic needs of food, shelter and safety.
Through this, their primary mission is to feed the poor. They offer daily meals and run a food pantry. They also have a thrift store which helps provide revenue to keep the kitchen in operation, as well as a monthly food box giveaway and community garden.
Sydnie Fansler has been involved with St. Martin’s for around eight years. She said that, in her experience, St. Martin’s does its best to be the next step for individuals in need.
She mentioned multiple ways she has seen the staff step in and be a helping hand, from connecting people to shelters in the area, to giving children books, to offering clothing vouchers.
Jeff Vise, a volunteer at St. Martin’s, has volunteered multiple times over the past year. He became connected through a service initiative with Marion General Motors.
“They offer everything from clothing to home goods and we’ve come down and served meals for people” Vise said.
Koryn Greiwe, a student volunteer from Indiana Wesleyan University, said she has enjoyed her time volunteering at St. Martin’s because of the impact she has seen it make in the community.
“It’s clear that they really affect the people of Marion. They serve meals, open the thrift store and really try to be a space where people can come and receive what they need,” Greiwe said.
St. Martin’s accepts food and item donations, as well as financial contributions.
Ellie Rinck 
Ellie Miller