Indianapolis Campus

Areas Where IvyCares Can Help You!

• Bear Necessities Food Pantry

  The Bear Necessities Food Pantry is here to support Ivy Tech students by providing access to food and basic needs resources.

  Fall 2026 Pantry Hours

  Fall Semester Opening Date:
  Monday, August 31, 2026

  Fall Semester Closing Date:
  Monday, December 7, 2026

  Pantry Hours:
  Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
  10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

  The pantry is open during scheduled class sessions and may be closed during campus breaks, holidays, or when classes are not in session.

  Eligibility Requirements

  To use the Bear Necessities Food Pantry, you must be a currently enrolled Ivy Tech student.

  Please bring:

  • Your Ivy Tech Student ID Card
  • Your cellphone with access to your MyIvy account to verify current enrollment
  • Your Ivy Tech Student ID Number (C#)

  Having these items ready helps us serve students more quickly.

  What to Expect During Your Visit

  Please note:

  • Pantry services are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Students are assisted by one person at a time to protect privacy and ensure everyone receives quality service.

  1. Check In: Visit the Bear Necessities table and let a staff member know you would like to visit the food pantry.
  2. Sign In & Complete an application: Sign in upon arrival. Complete a pantry application (Note: a new application is required for each academic year). No financial information is required.
  3. Verify Your Enrollment: A staff member will review your MyIvy account to verify you are currently enrolled.
  4. Select Your Grocery Items: You will receive a grocery selection sheet showing the items available that day. You will be able to select items based on the following limits:
     • Frozen meat: up to 2 items
     • Canned items: up to 8 items
     • Personal Hygiene items: up to 2 items
     • Household Cleaning items: up to 2 items
     • Other Staples: Select from available items such as pasta, cereal, rice, condiments, and other pantry staples.
  5. We Prepare Your Grocery Order: Return your completed grocery selection sheet to a staff member. Our team will gather the items you requested based on available inventory.
  6. Pick Up Your Groceries: A staff member will provide your groceries when your order is ready. You may visit the Bear Necessities Food Pantry again after two weeks.

  Helpful Tips Before You Visit

  • Have your Ivy Tech Student ID ready.
  • Have your MyIvy account open on your cellphone.
  • Bring reusable bags if you have them.
  • Be patient as we assist each student individually.
  • Inventory changes daily based on availability.
• Childcare Voucher Referral

  The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), a federally funded program that provides childcare assistance to eligible low-income families, issues electronic vouchers that pay, in whole or in part, for an eligible family’s childcare expenses directly to the childcare provider.
  
  To apply for assistance, you may apply online: 

  https://earlyedconnect.fssa.in.gov/onlineApp/home
  
  To learn more about income eligibility requirements, please visit: 

  https://brighterfuturesindiana.org/earlyed/income-eligibility-guidelines
  
  Fall 2026: IvyCares Statewide can provide 100 referrals for Ivy Tech students enrolled in Fall 2026 classes who want CCDF vouchers. A referral from Ivy Tech will allow you to move up the CCDF voucher waiting list. If you are seeking a referral from IvyCares, email Indianapolis-IvyCares@ivytech.edu to schedule an appointment.

• Health Insurance

  LIG Student Health Program

  Ivy Tech Community College has partnered with Gallagher to help students find the best health insurance plan for them!

  Find health insurance in 4 easy steps:

  1. Meet your Agent - Contact LIG Solutions to schedule your free one-on-one consultation. Fill out this form or call (833) 203-0224.

  2. Compare Options - Choose from several coverage options that fit your needs and budget.

  3. Enroll in a Plan - Enroll in your selected plan with the help of our health insurance agents.

  4. Experience the Difference - Relax while LIG Solutions provides coverage updates and monitors your plan for any important changes.

  Health Insurance Coverage Tailored for Student's Needs

  • Major Medical/ACA Plans: Major medical/ACA eligible health insurance is a comprehensive policy designed to help your students and their families pay for covered healthcare expenses.

  • Short-Term Plans: Short-term plans are an affordable option for students to have coverage if they do not have a QLE or are outside of Open Enrollment. These plans are medically underwritten and not ACA-compliant.

  • Dental, Vision, and Hearing: Dental, vision, and hearing insurance cover basic and preventive services when you visit specialists in these fields.

  ENROLL TODAY

• IvyAssist

  Ivy Assist is a fantastic website with local options to help Ivy Tech students connect with resources. Use this website to search for services available in your local area. Ivy Assist can connect you with organizations that provide food assistance, housing needs, transportation, health resources, financial assistance, education options, legal services, and so much more. To check out what is offered, visit ivyassist.auntbertha.com

• Koda’s Closet – Free Clothing Closet for Ivy Tech Students, Faculty & Staff

  Need some everyday clothing, professional attire, or clothing for your children? Love thrift shopping? Visit Koda’s Closet, IvyCares’ free clothing closet!

  Thanks to the generosity of the Ivy Tech community, clothing donations have been collected to support students, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to make sure that anyone who may need clothing has access to clean, gently used items at no cost.

  Fall 2026 Temporary Location & Hours

  Location:
  C4 Building – First Floor Lobby
  2820 N. Meridian Street
  Indianapolis, IN 46208

  When:
  During the 2nd 8-weeks, Koda’s Closet will be available on:

  • Wednesday, November 4, 2026

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2026

  • December 2, 2026 

  Stop by the table located to the right of the front doors of the C4 Building.

  Who Can Shop at Koda’s Closet?

  Koda’s Closet is available to:

  • Ivy Tech students

  • Ivy Tech faculty

  • Ivy Tech staff

  How It Works

  1. Check in with the Ivy Tech staff member at the Koda’s Closet table.

  2. Provide your:

     • Name

     • C#

     • Zip code

  3. Sign in on the registration sheet.

  4. Browse the available clothing and select items that work for you.

  Each visitor may take up to 8 items per visit.

  Please bring your own bag to carry your items.

  Available clothing may include:

  • Adult clothing

  • Children’s clothing

  • Everyday wear

  • Professional clothing

  Please note: Koda’s Closet is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Clothing sizes, styles, and selections will vary based on current donations and availability.

  Want to Donate to Koda’s Closet?

  We appreciate donations from the Ivy Tech community!

  Donations can be dropped off at:

  IvyCares – IFC Room 166
  Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

  We ask that all donated items are:

  • New or gently used

  • Clean

  • In good condition

  Questions?

  For questions about Koda’s Closet, please email:
  indianapolis-ivycares@ivytech.edu

• Places to Volunteer

  Community opportunities for volunteering

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
    https://www.bebigforkids.org/volunteer/

  • Catholic Charities
    https://helpcreatehope.org/crisis-office

  • Christamore House
    https://www.christamorehouse.org/volunteer-index-impact

  • Damien Center
    https://damien.org/volunteer

  • Dress for Success
    https://indydfs.org/volunteer-opportunities/

  • Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis
    https://www.fpgi.org/copy-of-careers

  • Flanner House
    https://www.flannerhouse.org/volunteer

  • Gleaners
    https://www.gleaners.org/volunteer/

  • Horizon House
    https://horizonhouse.cc/get-involved/volunteer/

  • Immigrant Welcome Center
    https://immigrantwelcomecenter.org/volunteer/

  • Indy Reads
    https://indyreads.org/get-involved/volunteer/

  • IndyHumane
    https://indyhumane.org/get-involved/volunteer/

  • John Boner Neighborhood Center
    https://jbncenters.formstack.com/forms/volunteer

  • Julian Center
    https://www.juliancenter.org/volunteer/

  • Mary Rigg
    https://www.maryrigg.org/volunteer/

  • MLK Center
    https://www.mlkcenterindy.org/support/get-involved/volunteer

  • Outreach Indiana
    https://www.outreachindiana.org/volunteer

  • PACE
    https://paceindy.org/volunteer

  • Second Helpings
    https://www.secondhelpings.org/volunteer/

  • St. Vincent de Paul
    https://www.svdpindy.org/volunteer/

  • United Way
    https://www.uwci.org/volunteer

  • Westminster
    https://www.westmin.org/volunteer-sign-up

   

   

• Student Discussion Boards

  IvyRide & IvyLiving: Connect with Your Peers

  Need help with transportation or housing? Willing to help a fellow student? IvyRide and IvyLiving are free student discussion boards located on the Root Pages within IvyLearn. These boards help Ivy Tech Indianapolis students connect with peers, share needs, offer support, and advocate for themselves.

  How to Get Started

  1. Sign in to IvyLearn using your MyIvy account.

  2. Go to the Root Pages discussion boards.

  3. Select IvyRide for transportation or IvyLiving for housing.

  4. Post a message to the group. If you are willing to provide transportation or can offer housing-related support, let your peers know!

  How to Connect with Another Student

  When you see a post from a student you would like to connect with, you can send that student a private email message directly through the IvyLearn platform. Post to the group to share your needs or offer assistance, then use the platform's email feature to contact the student individually.

  Who Can Participate?

  • You must be currently enrolled in a class at the Ivy Tech Indianapolis campus to access the discussion boards.

  • Discussion boards are organized by school, allowing students to connect with peers in their school.

  • Participation is free.

  • Students who are not currently enrolled in an Ivy Tech Indianapolis class cannot access this resource.

  Stay Safe When Connecting with Peers

  Use good judgment when communicating and making arrangements with other students. Before accepting a ride or making housing arrangements, communicate directly to clarify expectations and details. Protect your personal information, meet in public places when appropriate, and let someone you trust know your plans. Participation is voluntary, and students should make their own decisions about the arrangements they make with peers.

  Your connection could make a difference! Whether you need a ride, are willing to help with transportation, or are looking for housing support, IvyRide and IvyLiving offer an opportunity to connect with fellow students and support one another's success.

  Questions or need help accessing the discussion boards? Contact IvyCares for assistance.

• Student Emergency Aid Fund

  Students experiencing an unforeseen circumstance and need assistance can reach out to the IvyCares Resource Coach. The Resource Coach will assist students identifying community resources to assist the student financially through the crisis. The Resource Coach can help the students organize the materials and complete applications for assistances in addition to finding financial support.

  View Form

• Technology

  The IvyCares Loaner Technology Program ended after the Summer 2026 semester and is no longer available. As a result, IvyCares can no longer provide loaner laptops or mobile hotspots.

  If you need a computer, the following resources may help:

  • PCs for People – Low-cost computers for eligible individuals.
  • Computers with Causes – Provides computers to qualifying applicants based on availability.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later Options with local retail stores
  • TAG Mobile Lifeline Program – Free or discounted phone service for eligible individuals.

  To ensure you select the right device for your program, please review our Laptop Specifications guide below.

  LAPTOP SPECIFICATIONS GUIDE

• Transportation

  Students can purchase a 31-day IndyGo Bus pass for $47.50 (half price) through the Bursar’s office.  The Bursar’s office is located in IFC room 134. To purchase a bus pass, you must be an Ivy Tech student in good financial standing with the college.

  Students must have cash money to purchase the bus pass. 

  Ivy Cares may be able to assist with a ONE-TIME emergency bus pass if an emergency transportation issue occurs. Use the link to complete an emergency IvyCares transportation request.

  IVYCARES EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION APPLICATION