Merciful HELP Center

What Merciful HELP Center does

Merciful HELP Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity headquartered at 1045 West 146th Street, Suite A, Carmel, Indiana, operating as a social enterprise of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Founded in 1988 under Monsignor John Duncan's direction, the organization delivers a portfolio of 22+ basic-needs ministries serving Hamilton County residents and households in zip codes 46240 and 46260. Programs span food assistance (Choice Food Pantry with drive-through curb service on Tue/Thu/Sat; Green Bag Sunday; Thanksgiving Basket Drive), infant and child support (Gabriel Baby Pantry; MHC School Clothes Closet; Tools for School; Winter Coats; Carmel Summer Meals; Carmel Back Sacks), household essentials (Housewares Ministry, Furniture & Large Appliances, Handyman Services, Used Vehicle Assistance), emergency aid (Limited Financial Aid, Car Seat Clinic with Carmel PD), seasonal programs, and pastoral care (GriefShare, Stephen Ministry, Pathways to Healing from Divorce, Healing the Whole Person, Transitions, Create and Heal, Threads of Love). The Cathedral Soup Kitchen partnership and CommUNITY Care Day extend reach into Marion County and Madison County respectively.

The operating model relies on a small paid staff (approximately 6, including Director Jayne Slaton, Warehouse Manager MJ Vera, Volunteer Coordinator Tina Malone, and an Administrative Assistant) supported by 850+ volunteers and 21 volunteer coordinators chairing subcommittees per ministry. Distribution is delivered directly: drive-through pickup at the Choice Food Pantry, scheduled pickups for baby items, and home delivery for those unable to travel. Referrals flow through the Good Samaritan Network for holiday assistance, with co-located clinical services (Trinity Free Clinic) and a monthly Eviction Clinic (Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic) housed in the Matthew 25 Center.

Revenue is generated entirely from charitable giving: monetary donations (with donor-directed designation across ministries), in-kind donations of food, clothing, furniture, appliances, and household goods processed by the Good Stewards Ministry, corporate and grant funding (notably the Evan R. Hansen Legacy Foundation's $6,000 annual internship grant and the Meijer Simply Give Campaign), and garage sale proceeds. All services are provided free of charge to qualifying residents. Core back-office technology is a barcode-based client tracking system for assistance history across programs; there is no proprietary software product, mobile app, or AI/ML capability disclosed. The organization is led by the Slatons, who have chaired since 1994, with governance rooted in parish structure rather than equity ownership.

Name

Merciful HELP Center

Legal name

Merciful HELP Center

Website

https://mercifulhelpcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Merciful HELP Center is a Carmel, Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and social enterprise of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, delivering 22+ basic-needs ministries — food pantry, baby supplies, furniture, financial aid, school programs, and pastoral care — to Hamilton County residents in Central Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food Services (624210), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Food pantry services
• Social service assistance
• Emergency financial aid
• Basic needs assistance
• Pastoral care programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Carmel

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: The organization relies entirely on charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and the parish community. Donors can specify which ministry their contribution supports, including Carmel Summer Meals, Tools for School, Choice Food Pantry, CommUNITY Care Day, Coats, Financial Aid, Furniture, Baby Pantry, Housewares, and more.
2. Material Donations: Receipt of donated food, clothing, furniture, appliances, baby items, and household goods that are redistributed to families in need. The donation room is open 7 days a week for drop-offs.
3. Meijer Simply Give Campaign: Participation in Meijer's Simply Give program where customers purchase $10 gift cards that are matched by Meijer to provide food assistance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Merciful HELP Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free basic needs assistance to Hamilton County, Indiana residents through 22+ ministries, including a Choice Food Pantry, Gabriel Baby Pantry, housewares, school clothing, furniture/appliances, limited financial aid, used vehicle assistance, handyman services, car seat clinic, seasonal programs (Thanksgiving baskets, Tools for School, winter coats), child nutrition programs (Carmel Summer Meals, Carmel Back Sacks), and pastoral care programs (GriefShare, Stephen Ministry, divorce support). All services are provided free of charge to qualifying residents.

Product overview

Merciful HELP Center is a nonprofit charity organization operating as a social enterprise of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Rather than a unified technology product, it offers a portfolio of social service programs organized into several categories: Food Assistance (Choice Food Pantry, Green Bag Sunday), Baby & Family Support (Gabriel Baby Pantry, School Clothes Closet), Household Essentials (Housewares Ministry, Furniture & Appliances), Emergency Aid (Limited Financial Aid, Used Vehicle Assistance, Handyman Services), Seasonal Programs (Tools for School, Thanksgiving Baskets, Winter Coats, Spring Cleaning), Child Nutrition (Carmel Summer Meals, Carmel Back Sacks), and Pastoral Care (GriefShare, Stephen Ministry, Pathways to Healing from Divorce). The center manages over 22 distinct ministries serving Hamilton County residents with basic necessities of life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Choice Food Pantry Provides food assistance to Hamilton County residents and zip codes 46240 and 46260. Operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with drive-through curb service, offering fresh produce, frozen meat, and cleaning supplies. Available to MHC clients with barcodes.
• Gabriel Baby Pantry Provides baby clothing, bedding, furniture, and essential baby gear to expectant parents and families with babies up to age 2T. Operates Tuesday evenings with scheduled pickups.
• Housewares Ministry Provides household items including bedding, bath essentials, kitchen utensils, dinnerware, small appliances, and cleaning supplies to families in need.
• MHC School Clothes Closet Provides school clothing to children ages 3-18 with 3 outfits and 2 pairs of shoes per season. Available to MHC clients with barcodes in Hamilton County.
• Winter Coats Program Distributes winter coats to families in need through partnership with Hamilton County Kids Coats. Registration available during fall/winter season.
• Furniture & Large Appliances Provides basic need furniture including beds, kitchen tables, couches, and appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves) to Hamilton County families. One-time assistance with delivery included.
• Handyman Services Volunteer-powered minor household repair service for Hamilton County residents who lack access to repair funding. Case-by-case basis assistance.
• Used Vehicle Assistance Provides donated vehicles and car repair assistance (under $300) to Hamilton County residents to help them re-enter the workforce. Includes budgeting support for insurance and maintenance.
• Car Seat Clinic Partners with Carmel Police Department to provide car seat safety education and installation training. Distributes new car seats to families through government grants.
• Limited Financial Aid Provides emergency financial assistance for basic needs (gas, electric, water, rent/mortgage) to Hamilton County residents. Requires township trustee application first.
• Tools for School Annual back-to-school assistance providing backpacks, school supplies, shoes, socks, underwear, books, and food to children ages 2-21 in Hamilton County. In its 21st year, serving over 3,600 children.
• CommUNITY Care Day Christmas assistance program serving Madison County families with coats, shoes, socks, underwear, books, school supplies, and food. Replaces traditional Angel Tree program.
• Thanksgiving Basket Drive Annual Thanksgiving food basket distribution serving approximately 670 families with frozen turkey, fresh produce, dairy, and pantry staples for a complete Thanksgiving meal plus 10 additional meals.
• Spring Cleaning Supplies Giveaway Annual event providing cleaning supplies, seeds for summer gardens, and underwear/socks vouchers to families. Also opens Tools for School registration.
• Carmel Summer Meals Summer food program providing weekly meals to children qualifying for free/reduced lunches. Addresses the 40 extra meals families must provide during summer break. Coordinates with local churches and the Carmel Rotary Club.
• Carmel Back Sacks Weekend food sack program providing shelf-stable breakfast, lunch, and snacks to children at-risk of hunger over weekends. Coordinated with Carmel school social workers and local churches.
• Green Bag Sunday Bi-annual food donation collection drives where parish families receive green bags to fill with food donations for the food pantry.
• GriefShare Bereavement Support Bereavement support group meeting weekly on Wednesdays, facilitated by trained volunteers. Part of the Outreach & Pastoral Care Ministry.
• Stephen Ministry One-to-one pastoral support provided by trained Stephen Ministers for individuals experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, illness, or other life difficulties.
• Pathways to Healing from Divorce Nine-week program for adults experiencing divorce or separation using the Surviving Divorce video and journal series. Meets Wednesdays with $35 registration fee (waivable).

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 10,000 families with food needs in 2019 (800 families/month)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Good Samaritan NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates holiday assistance programs including Thanksgiving and Christmas to prevent duplication of services across Hamilton County agencies. Families register through GSN and may request assignment to MHC for Thanksgiving assistance.
• Trinity Free CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical clinic for the poor operating in the Matthew 25 Center building. Began as parish initiative and now functions as independent not-for-profit corporation providing medical, eye, dental, and pharmacy services.
• Hamilton County Kids CoatsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for winter coat distribution. MHC provides additional coats to families after the main Kids Coats giveaways are complete, extending the program through February.
• Carmel Police DepartmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Indiana Highway Car Seat Safety Specialist to teach families proper car seat installation and usage at monthly Car Seat Clinic. Partners with government grants to provide car seats to families in need.
• Neighborhood Christian Legal ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly Eviction Clinic held at Matthew 25 Center providing free legal assistance for housing law issues, evictions, security deposits, repairs, and accessibility. Collaborates with Mayor's Office, Indiana Legal Services, and Indianapolis Legal Aid Society.
• Pilgrim Lutheran ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in Carmel Back Sacks and Carmel Summer Meals programs. Church engages volunteers to collect food and pack sacks that are delivered to school social workers monthly.
• Orchard Park Presbyterian ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in Carmel Back Sacks program, rotating monthly responsibility to collect food and help pack weekend food sacks for food-insecure children.
• St. Christopher Episcopal ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in Carmel Back Sacks program, rotating monthly responsibility to collect food and help pack weekend food sacks for food-insecure children.
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in Carmel Back Sacks program and hosts angel trees for CommUNITY Care Day Christmas program.
• Cathedral Soup KitchenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOur Lady of Mount Carmel volunteers serve the midday meal on second Sundays of even months at the Cathedral Soup Kitchen downtown, serving the working poor, homeless, and others in need.
• Book in HandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides a new book for every child served through the Tools for School program.
• Meijer Simply Give CampaignmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeijer Carmel store selected MHC as recipient of Simply Give Campaign. Customers purchase $10 gift cards that benefit MHC, with double-match days providing $30 value for every $10 donation.
• St. Ambrose and St. Mary Parish (Anderson)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic schools in Anderson, Indiana with high poverty rates (one school at 90%). Partner for CommUNITY Care Day program serving Madison County families with basic needs including shoes, coats, uniforms, and school supplies.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Second Helpings (Indianapolis): Indianapolis-based hunger relief organization that rescues surplus food and prepares meals for distribution. Comparable to MHC on the food-assistance mission, though with more focus on prepared-meal distribution rather than client-choice pantry.
• Midwest Food Bank: Faith-rooted food distribution nonprofit operating across multiple Midwest states including Indiana. Shares MHC's model of mobilizing volunteers and partner churches to collect and redistribute food to families in need.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Indianapolis Council: Catholic lay-led charity providing direct assistance (food, clothing, furniture, rent, utilities) to neighbors in need across Central Indiana. Highly comparable operating model to MHC, including parish-rooted structure, volunteer home visits, and emergency financial aid.
• Trinity Free Clinic: Free medical, dental, eye, and pharmacy clinic for the uninsured poor operating inside MHC's Matthew 25 Center. Co-located tenant and strategic ally with overlapping patient/clients and shared parish heritage.
• Hamilton County Kids Coats: Hamilton County winter coat distribution nonprofit that is a direct operational partner of MHC's Winter Coats Program. Comparable mission, identical geographic scope, and shared seasonal-volunteer model.
• Cathedral Soup Kitchen (Indianapolis): Downtown Indianapolis meal program serving the working poor and homeless, staffed in part by Our Lady of Mount Carmel volunteers. Directly comparable faith-rooted hunger-relief mission and shared volunteer base.
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana: Regional food bank serving Central Indiana, including Indianapolis and surrounding counties. Operates a comparable food-rescue and redistribution mission to MHC's Choice Food Pantry and Green Bag Sunday, serving overlapping Hamilton/Marion County populations but at significantly larger scale.
• Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County: Hamilton County coordinating body that refers families to MHC and other member agencies for holiday assistance. Direct coordination partner of MHC and operates the same geographic safety-net mission at the network level.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities Indianapolis: Diocesan social service agency providing a broad portfolio of programs (refugee services, counseling, adoption, basic needs) across Central Indiana. Overlaps with MHC's holistic basic-needs mission but operates at a much larger scale with broader programmatic scope.
• Salvation Army of Central Indiana: National faith-based social services organization with significant Central Indiana presence providing food, shelter, holiday assistance, and emergency aid. Comparable holiday programs (Angel Tree analogs) and basic-needs offerings, but with national-scale fundraising and infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HE-Lifts-Me-UP-1570567936517201
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/merciful-help-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Merciful HELP Center