INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Dawn anchor Jeremy Jenkins stepped out of the studio and into the kitchen of the Southeast Community Services building in Fountain Square and joined Fletcher Place Community Center to help prepare and serve hot meals to those in need.

Part I – In the kitchen

Jeremy went straight to work early in the morning and cooked breakfast for the community. “We’ve been so busy we’ve actually had to go out to a makeshift kitchen,” Jeremy said. “We have cookies in the oven, biscuits ready to go and eggs sizzling on the stove.”

But it wasn’t just about making breakfast – it was about connecting with the community and supporting the dedicated team behind the effort. Jeremy teamed up with Teresa Mills, Director of Operations at Fletcher Place, who has been helping feed the hungry for nearly a decade.

“We serve hot meals every Tuesday and Friday,” Mills said. “We welcome anyone who needs a meal, and thanks to Southeast Community Services, we have the space to keep this program going.”

Part II – Serving hot meals

After preparing breakfast, Jeremy switched gears to serve the members of the community who came in for a hot meal. The kitchen was bustling as people came in, ready for a hearty breakfast.

“There’s definitely a lot of activity here in the morning,” Jeremy said as he served plates. “We’ve already seen over 100 people come through, and we expect to serve around 160 before we close.”

Amidst the hubbub, Mills emphasized the importance of volunteer support, especially as the Thanksgiving weekend approaches.

“We are always looking for volunteers and food donations, especially for our holiday food programs,” Mills said. “Anyone can sign up to help through our website, and every contribution makes a difference.”

How you can help

Fletcher Place Community Center is making a significant impact, but they can’t do it alone. As Jeremy pointed out, community engagement is key to these programs running smoothly.

“It’s really easy to get involved, whether it’s donating food, helping serve meals, or even just spreading the word,” Jeremy noted as he juggled serving eggs and talking to the camera.

Mills gave Jeremy high marks for his kitchen performance. “I would give you an A+,” she said with a smile. “You’ve been good all morning.”

Conclusion

To support the efforts at Fletcher Place as a volunteer or through donations, click here. If you have a task you’d like to see Jeremy tackle next, click here to submit them via email or follow him on Facebook to share your suggestions. To catch up with other segments, click here.