Second Helpings Named Monika Mala as CEO
The Indianapolis nonprofit appointed Mala to lead the organization following her role at Foster Success.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in People
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In September 2026, the Indianapolis-based nonprofit Second Helpings appointed Monika Mala as its new CEO. The organization works to address food insecurity by repurposing food for over 200 social service agencies.
Why it matters
Mala takes the helm as the nonprofit aims to double its impact within five years to combat rising food insecurity in central Indiana. Her leadership comes as federal SNAP funding cuts and new eligibility rules threaten to reduce access to benefits for many families.
Second Helpings currently distributes meals to more than 200 social service agencies across the region. The organization intends to double this operational impact over the next five years.
The players
Monika Mala
The newly appointed CEO of Second Helpings previously served as chief strategy and operations officer at Foster Success.
Second Helpings
An Indianapolis-based nonprofit that distributes repurposed food to over 200 social service agencies.
The details
Second Helpings collects and repurposes food from local retailers, wholesalers, and restaurants to prepare meals for the community. More than half of all families in central Indiana currently face food insecurity.
Timeline
Monika Mala was appointed as CEO of Second Helpings in September 2026.
Market Landscape
Second Helpings is scaling its operations to fill critical service gaps left by legislative shifts in federal assistance programs. This pivot positions the nonprofit as a vital counterweight to the reduced reach of government social safety nets.
As federal SNAP funding decreases, local families may face increased reliance on community-led food distribution services like those provided by Second Helpings. Residents should monitor local service agency availability for potential shifts in meal access.
The takeaway
The appointment of a new CEO highlights the organization's commitment to scaling services during a period of reduced federal support for food assistance. Local families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with regional food distribution networks to mitigate the impact of changing eligibility requirements.
Further reading
For more organizational updates in the region, explore the People section.
More information
Learn more about the organization's mission and operations on the Second Helpings official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Current Publishing.
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Do you believe recent federal SNAP funding cuts will hurt food security in your area?
