Longtime Volunteer Dinah McClure Wins Golden Hoosier Award

In 2020, Dinah McClure was staring down retirement, trying to decide what she was going to everyday. Her long career Purdue University culminated in a final 14 years at the College of Agriculture. “The school has a strong culture of community impact,” said McClure. She knew she wanted to spend her retirement continuing to better her community.

She was familiar with Food Finders through the food drives held at the College of Agriculture. She had even volunteered a few evenings at the Food Finders Warehouse. But it was not until she heard former Food Finders CEO Katy Bunder speak at a local event that it clicked. “I learned so much about the level of need in the community,” McClure said. “I grew up in Tippecanoe County and I had no idea.”

Fast forward to 2026 and McClure has spent around 1,750 hours giving back across 730 shifts. That equates to nearly 73 days. On a weekly basis, you will find her sorting and bagging food on Monday mornings at the Katy Bunder Food Education and Resource Center. Then, every Tuesday and Thursday morning, you can find her “checking-out” our neighbors with a smile as an expert cashier at our Fresh Market.

To McClure, the hours spent with Food Finders are more than just a chance to give back. “I’ve made a lot of great friends while volunteering. The other volunteers, the Food Finders staff, our neighbors, they keep me coming back.”

“Dinah McClure has always gone above and beyond, not just for the organization, but for the neighbors we serve at the Fresh Market,” said Joe Harper, Food Finders Director of the Fresh Market and Volunteer Engagement. “Dinah’s impact is very tangible,” he explained. “Neighbors wait longer in her checkout line, because they want to see her and catch up with her. She has genuine relationships with those that we serve.”

“Dinah is the living embodiment of Food Finders’ values,” said Food Finders President/CEO Kier Crites Muller. “She exemplifies serving with dignity, compassion, understanding, and non-judgement, all of which are a welcome respite from the norm for our neighbor’s seeking assistance.”

Established in 2008, the Golden Hoosier Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a senior citizen in Indiana. Awarded by the Lt. Governor, it “acknowledges and recognizes outstanding individuals ages 65 and over for their service and commitment to their communities” and “aims to celebrate the unsung heroes whose contributions have significantly impacted the lives of others and the community fabric.”

As the person who chose to nominate McClure for the Golden Hoosier Award, several instances of McClure going above and beyond came to Harper’s mind. About a year ago, when the Fresh Market experienced flooding, McClure stayed beyond what had already been an eight hour day of volunteering to continue to help. Beyond that, “she is always ready to assist when we are short on volunteers, and is willing to say past her scheduled shift when she sees there is a need for extra hands,” Harper said.

On Wednesday, September 2, along with 22 other honorees, McClure was presented the Golden Hoosier Award by Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith at a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.

“I am very honored that Food Finders chose to nominate me,” said McClure. In her typical humble style, she was certain to mention that “there are so many other volunteers who do as much, if not more than I do. I know I am not the only one working hard.”

To McClure, the best part of winning this award has very little to do with her. “I like that Food Finders and their amazing work gets to be a spotlight though this award.”