Mozel Sanders Foundation, Inc.

Indianapolis IN

 

Mozel Sanders Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been feeding the hungry for over 50 years. Last year, the foundation served over 10,000 hot meals on Thanksgiving Day. The Mozel Sanders Foundation gives hope to the hungry and empowers youth & adults in Central Indiana.

DONATE NOW

MOZEL SANDERS FOUNDATION Mission Statement

To provide for the underserved and un-served throughout the Indianapolis area by feeding the hungry, empowering youth and adults, and building a facility that will provide for the community’s welfare.

Our History

In 1959, Reverend Dr. Mozel Sanders was appointed Pastor of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Dr. Sanders diligently worked to serve the needs of his congregation as well as the surrounding community. As a result of his efforts, he received numerous awards and statewide recognition, such as a housing project and a street renamed in his honor. Dr. Sanders probably became best known for his longstanding desire to feed those in need, thus sparking the creation of the annual “Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Day Dinner.” This program established his church as a beacon of light for the urban communities of greater Indianapolis. 

After Dr. Mozel Sanders’ passing in 1988, his son, Reverend Roosevelt Sanders, continued his father’s work by answering the call as both Pastor of Mount Vernon and as a servant of the community, which led to the formation of the Mozel Sanders Foundation (MSF). Approximately seven years ago, the Foundation began monthly distributions of approximately 30,000 pounds of groceries, personal hygiene products, and household cleaning supplies to those in need. From its humble beginnings at Mount Vernon, over the past 10 years, the Foundation has grown to include 40 satellite distribution locations consisting of churches, care facilities, and community service centers. To this day, Butler University remains the flagship for food preparation. 

Despite our loss in 2010 of another great leader, the late Reverend Roosevelt Sanders, the Foundation has served more than 40,000 hot meals to needy families. Due to the tireless commitment of its CEO Stephen Mozel James Sanders, Executive Director and chair Stephanie Sanders, Executive Director,  Director Roosevelt Sanders, Jr. in conjunction with thousands of community partners, Mozel Sanders Foundation continues to preserve its family legacy and mission to feed those in need. Dr. Sanders understood the necessity of providing for the daily practical needs of the people. One main goal is not only to feed the hungry monthly, but to expand services to those in need every week. Ultimately, it is the Foundation’s desire to provide additional community services, including, but not limited to, scholarship programs, mentor services, and youth empowerment projects. Due to the cumulative efforts of individual volunteers and corporate sponsors in donating their time, money and talent, Mozel Sanders Foundation has continued to supplement the needs of the less fortunate. To further this dream, we ask for your support in assisting the greater Indianapolis community. Your future compassion and kindness are greatly appreciated. 

Thank you in advance, Mozel Sanders Foundation, Inc.

wishtv

Partners In Action 

Our Partner Circle City Broadcasting CEO DuJuan McCoy recently met with President Biden and administration officials in Washington, D.C. 

Upcoming

Mozel Sanders Foundation Events

No Events Scheduled

Shop Mozel Sanders Foundation

50TH YEAR COMMEMORATIVE TSHIRTS ARE HERE!!!

 

 

Support The Mozel Sanders Foundation and have lasting memorabilia of our 50th commemorative year in serving the Indianapolis community!

Order your  Mozel Sanders Foundation tshirt today! Limited quantities available.

100% of the proceeds will benefit the foundation.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

 

 

BARBEQUE, HOT SAUCE and

JALAPENO RELISH IS HERE!!!

Support The Mozel Sanders Foundation and make your tastebuds happy!

Order Mozel Sanders Foundation Smooth & Spicy Barbeque Sauce today!

100% of the proceeds will benefit the foundation.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

This is a great ministry design to feed the hungry and to insure that everyone gets a meal on Thanksgiving, keep up the good fight.

OTTIS J. RIGGINS JR.

The pastor and members of the New Vision  Baptist Church had the pleasure of serving the Christian Park community on Thanksgiving Day.

PASTOR DAVID BACON

Thanks to all the great people who organized this. It was my wife and myself’s first time delivering.  We will definitely be back next year to do it again.  Great Job everyone.

JIM HALE

Thank You, Volunteers!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Mozel Sanders Annual Thanksgiving Dinner “Feed The Hungry” event. This is the largest day of feeding for Indianapolis and the Mozel Sanders Foundation (MSF) couldn’t accomplish it without the help from our volunteers. This event was started from the vision of the late Dr. Mozel Sanders and was birthed into a foundation by his son the late Rev. Roosevelt James Sanders. We are blessed to continue the legacy after 40 years.​

Please click on the button for the location you desire to serve:

2023 Satellite Locations –

These locations will have meals available on a first-come, first-served basis for walk-ins only.   

  • Augusta Christian Church, 3445 W 71st Street
  • Capitol City Church of Christ, 8925 E 42nd Street
  • Christ Community Church, 2122 N Keystone Ave.
  • Dixon Chapel, 1910 Belleview
  • Fall Creek Church, 380 Fall Creek Ave.
  • First Christian Church MBC, 3805 N Sheridan Ave
  • Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1301 N Goodlet Ave
  • Jesus House, 3402 N Schofield
  • Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 1003 W 16th Street
  • Mt Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church, 709 E Belmont Ave
  • Mt Zion, 3500 Graceland Ave.
  • New Direction Church, 5330 E 38th Street
  • Resurrection Community Church, 2502 E 38th Street
  • Roberts Park United Methodist Church, 401 E Delaware St
  • Speedway Church, 4980 W 10th Street
  • Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 418 E 34th Street

2023 Kitchen Locations

Thank you to the kitchens for preparing the food for this year’s Thanksgiving Dinner.  We would not be able to do what we do without them. 

These locations also have available meals on a first-come, first-served basis for walk-ins unless otherwise noted.

  • Butler University, Atherton Union, 704  W. Hampton Drive (not serving meals)
  • First Baptist Church, 880 w 28th Street (closing at 1 pm on Thursday)
  • Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1301 N Goodlet Ave
  • New Direction Church, 5330 E 38th Street
  • Roberts Park United Methodist Church, 401 E Delaware St
  • Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 418 E 34th Street

REVEREND ROOSEVELT SANDERS EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP

SPONSORED BY FINANCIAL CENTER FIRST CREDIT UNION

Dear Student,

In 1959, Reverend Dr. Mozel Sanders was appointed pastor of the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Reverend Sanders worked diligently to provide for his church and local community. He received much recognition, but he is perhaps best known throughout the state of Indiana for feeding families through the annual Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Day Dinner.
After Reverend Mozel Sanders’ passing in 1988, his son, Reverend Roosevelt Sanders, formed the Mozel Sanders Foundation (MSF) in order to continue his father’s legacy. The Reverend Roosevelt Sanders departed from this earth in the summer of 2010.
Now, 51 years after the Foundation’s inception, under the leadership of Reverend Roosevelt Sanders’ son, CEO Stephen Mozel James Sanders and wife COO Stephanie Sanders, the Mozel Sanders tradition continues to grow. Thanks to our leaders, donors, community partners, and volunteers, the Thanksgiving Day Dinner event serves more than 40,000+ hot meals from 30+ satellite locations to families across Marion County in Central Indiana. The Reverend Roosevelt Sanders Educators Award is another example of the continuation of the beliefs of the late Reverend Dr. Mozel Sanders.
After a brief hiatus, this scholarship program was relaunched in 2008 with the support of the Financial Center First Credit Union. In the past, our goal has been to inspire students to unlock their potential and achieve their dreams; to empower students to believe in themselves; to succeed beyond their circumstances, and to move forward toward a responsible and prosperous future. This scholarship was created to provide needed financial assistance to local students who are desirous of pursuing a quality education. Without financial assistance, many minority and low-income students would not achieve this goal.
This year we return to honoring our students to encourage, enrich and empower them to be their very best so they can grow and ultimately give back to the community. 

Congratulations to this year’s Empowerment Scholarship Recipients

Justine Jackson,12th grade, George Washington  H.SGenesis Corbett, 11th grade, Speedway Senior H.SHarmony Chapman, 9th grade, Franklin Central H.SErinn Redmon, 12th grade, Bishop Chatard H.SChase Sharp, 9th grade, Park Tudor H.STaylor Powell, 12th grade, Perry Meridian H.SAzahiel Haile, 12th grade, George Washington H.S

Join Us

In our efforts to end world hunger. One step at a time.

8 + 4 =