For more than 50 years, the Mozel Sanders Foundation has provided free Thanksgiving meals to Indianapolis residents facing food insecurity, becoming the largest one-day feeding initiative in the city. This year, Ivy Tech Indianapolis joined the effort as one of five preparation sites, with its culinary kitchen set to produce over 4,000 meals—the largest contribution among all sites.
The culinary kitchen, located in Ivy Tech’s Conference Center and Culinary Institute (CCCI), typically serves as a training ground for Hospitality Administration students. Its commercial kitchen facilities offer the space and resources needed to tackle the large-scale preparation required to serve thousands of meals.
Since its founding, the Mozel Sanders Foundation has delivered over a million Thanksgiving meals, mobilizing thousands of volunteers and donors to ensure no one in Indianapolis goes hungry on the holiday.
“Mozel Sanders operates by the motto ‘never look down on a man unless you’re trying to pick him up,’” said Stephanie Sanders, executive director and chair of the Mozel Sanders Foundation. “If each one would feed one, everyone would be fed. This year, we are continuing our tradition to reach even more people.”
Ivy Tech Indianapolis’ Culinary Kitchen was the first of the five sites to begin preparations, opening as early as Monday. It will host dozens of volunteers, including teams from long-standing Mozel Sanders partners like MJJ Diversity Staffing.
“We’re honored to support the Mozel Sanders Foundation’s annual Thanksgiving Drive,” said James Perkins, co-CEO of MJJ Diversity Staffing. “Our team is passionate about giving back to the community, and there’s no better way to show our gratitude than by coming together to provide meals for those in need.”
MJJ, a dedicated partner of Mozel Sanders for over 20 years, recognizes the significance of Ivy Tech’s facilities in making the event a success.
“Partnering with Ivy Tech has been a game-changer,” said co-CEO Mike Futch. “This state-of-the-art kitchen allows us to maximize our efforts and reach more people in need this holiday season. We’re truly grateful for the opportunity to work within the CCCI.”
Stephanie Sanders echoed the sentiment: “We’re so excited to be on the 12th floor of Ivy Tech’s beautiful culinary building preparing meals that ensure no Indianapolis resident goes hungry on Thanksgiving. The kitchen is state-of-the-art and spacious enough that we can do what we’ve been doing for 50 years—providing a warm meal for those in need.”
To learn more about the Mozel Sanders Foundation or volunteer for future events, visit mozelsanders.org. Visit this page on the Ivy Tech website to learn more about the CCCI building.
If you’re interested in taking cooking classes or enrolling in hospitality administration to learn more about the culinary arts, event planning, baking, and more – please visit this page at ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
