Community Expo, Free-Vend Initiative highlight township's innovation
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Center Township of Howard County has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Township of the Year by the Indiana Township Association at its annual educational conference on Sept. 23 in Noblesville.
The award highlights Center Township’s reputation as one of the top township assistance providers in the entire state, consistently ranking among Indiana’s leaders in direct relief to residents.
This year, the township’s achievements included its Community Expo, which connected residents to more than 30 service providers, served over 200 meals, and showcased partnerships with organizations like Duke Energy, Food Finders, and Midwest Food Bank. In addition, the township’s annual food drive collected more than 9,000 pounds of food and $2,000 in financial donations for the Helping Hands Food Pantry—strengthening the safety net for hundreds of local families.
Center Township has also led in innovation. In 2025, the office piloted Indiana’s first Free Vend Initiative, offering free access to essential hygiene and care items, and launched a Back-to-School Shoe Giveaway that provided 72 children in the Kokomo Center School System with brand-new shoes to begin the school year with confidence.
“These programs reflect the heart of township service—meeting needs, building community, and lifting people up,” said Trustee Andrew Durham. “This recognition is a testament to our staff’s dedication and the partnerships we’ve built across Kokomo and Howard County.”
In addition to these initiatives, Center Township continues to sponsor popular community traditions such as Cookies with Santa and Trunk-or-Treat, funded entirely through donations and staff contributions, not taxpayer dollars.
The Indiana Township Association presents the Township of the Year Award annually to recognize a township that exemplifies excellence in service, compassion, and leadership.