Independent Operators

Food truck event helps seniors make a difference

Southern Indiana food trucks supported senior citizen volunteers in a fundraising event.

Photo: Adobe Stock

October 21, 2026 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

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Food trucks are an integral part of their communities, especially as they depend on public spaces or businesses to partner with for spots to serve customers. They also serve a crucial role in supporting nonprofit and charity events. Recently, Food Truck Operator attended a Food Truck Event hosted by Trinity United Methodist Church in New Albany, Indiana, which raised funds for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

School of Fish, Red Top Dogs, and Q-Pine BBQ were in attendance for the event, which supports retired volunteers across Indiana to help them continue to stay active and make a difference.

Ceil Sperzel, director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, said that this program has "over 700 volunteers in five southern Indiana counties. We place volunteers in many other non-profit organizations... for instance pantries, libraries, health care facilities, museums, arts organizations, youth shelters, schools... just to name a few."

They stand out among other organizations by looking into often ignored needs. These include:

Wheelchair ramps for lower-income disabled people.
Home repairs.
Trips to the doctor, groceries.
Daily calls to disabled individuals and homebound seniors.
Handwashing instruction for preschoolers.
Homemade items such as catheter bags, clothes protectors, stockings, lap blankets.
Flowers for hospice patients.

Sperzel also said the program supports Seniors with a Goal.

"The SWAG program offers senior centers in New Albany, Georgetown, New Salisbury, and Henryville. This is a great way for senior citizens to stay in their neighborhoods to socialize and volunteer all at once. The volunteers assemble five take-home early learning kits each year for every Head Start student in our 5 counties," he said.

At the event, Food Truck Operator also got a chance to interview the food trucks. Check out Q-Pine BBQ's interview here, and School of Fish and Red Top Dogs below.

About Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is an experienced editor for Connect Media. He has written across a wide range of beats, ranging from food to digital signage to banking, and is the current editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing. When he’s not crafting a story, you can find him going for a run or spending time with his wife and three sons.

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