Gabe Eckler is the Westminster Pantry Coordinator at Westminster Neighborhood services through the Indy Hunger Network. Gabe was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and lives in a small town about 30 minutes east called Greenfield. He graduated from DePauw University with a degree in History, and received his bachelor’s in May of 2021. Though new to the area of food distribution and security, Gabe is eager to learn more about it and help people in his community. Following his work with the VISTA program, Gabe desires to go on to get his Master’s degree in East Asian studies along with his MBA. Gabe enjoys playing piano, reading, outdoor activities such as fishing, and learning languages.

Maria Hinojosa is the Cooking and Nutrition Education VISTA at Indy Hunger Network. She is from East Indianapolis and has been interested in cooking since high school, learning tips and tricks throughout the years from various family members. Maria studied Healthcare Administration and Public Health at IU Bloomington. While at IU, Maria interned at a local food pantry (Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard,) helping to run the Youth Nutrition program by leading children’s cooking classes. This combined her love of cooking, passion for food security, and her experience with teaching children. Her internship also focused on community engagement and cultural competency. Her internship experience was one of the most positive and fulfilling experiences of her life, and she hopes her time as a VISTA member will do the same. Most of all, Maria hopes to spread her love of cooking and teaching during her year with IHN and have a lot of fun while doing so. After her time as a VISTA member, Maria hopes to eventually attend a Masters Program in Europe, focusing on International Health.

Grant Moran is the Senior Health and Wellness VISTA at CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions through Indy Hunger Network. An Indy local, he lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Grant studied Spanish and Letters at the University of Oklahoma and received a bachelor’s in July 2020. While in university, Grant volunteered as an interpreter at a low-income medical clinic and did community outreach & educational programming for the university’s Gender and Equality Center. These experiences fostered an interest in public service that continues to this day. After AmeriCorps, Grant hopes to continue participating in nonprofit work.

Ephraim Sy Palmero is the VISTA Program Officer at the Indy Food Council. While originally from the Philippines, his parents were humanitarian doctors that led him to spend his childhood in Liberia and the Gambia, West Africa. At 17 years old, he was one of the youngest in his class from Tidewater Community College, to receive an Associates in Criminal Justice. In May 2020, he received his undergraduate degree from Andrews University in Political Science, with minors in Behavioral Science and Global Studies. Currently he is pursuing a Masters in Community and International Development at Andrews while starting his VISTA term. Throughout his academic journey, Ephraim has participated in various leadership positions from student government, to honor societies and associations. During his last two summers in undergrad, he interned with a INGO in Yemen, where he expanded on his passion for humanitarian development, project management, advocacy, and grant writing. Ephraim is excited to be a part of this VISTA cohort and the Indy Hunger Network to seek better solutions, and to build capacity for a more sustainable food system. In his free time, he enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, playing basketball, and travel photography.

Kristen Phillips is the Nutrition and Dementia Services Coordinator at CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions through Indy Hunger Network. Kristen was born and raised in the small town of Wise, Virginia, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in music therapy. She moved to Indianapolis for her first VISTA term with Indy Hunger Network in 2018 and has remained in the community ever since. She is passionate about issues surrounding dementia, stemming from her training as a music therapist. During her first VISTA term, she grew in her knowledge and passion for hunger issues. Kristen is excited to be combining these two areas together in her second VISTA term. In her free time, Kristen is a dedicated volunteer with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, where she enjoys greeting patrons and creating a welcoming environment to all who come to enjoy concerts. She also volunteers her time with her church producing radio programs. Kristen spends her time hiking and camping as well, and has visited all of the state parks in Indiana. In the long term, Kristen hopes to continue in the nonprofit sector in Indianapolis to further bring change to her community.

Angela Richie is the Indy Hunger Network Food Assistance Programs VISTA. Angela grew up in Anderson, IN and received her undergraduate degree from Anderson University in Youth Ministries. Angela began volunteering at food pantries as a teenager, and has since served by cooking meals, organizing donations, and meeting with recipients at multiple pantries in central Indiana. Angela is passionate about imagining the ways food insecurity can be addressed through collaborative community engagement and by supporting local initiatives. She is eager to gain further experience networking and facilitating training during her VISTA term. Following her year at IHN, Angela hopes to pursue a higher degree in the social sciences. Angela spends her free time teaching knitting classes at Plainfield Correctional Facility, co-hosting a storytelling podcast, getting her hands dirty in her garden, and racking up miles by backpacking, hiking, and kayaking.