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Benefit for Second Helpings

What is Tonic Ball?

The Best Night of the Year

You might call 70+ local bands covering iconic acts across five stages in a single night a fever dream, magic, or controlled chaos, but we call it Tonic Ball. We also call it the best night of the year. 

Tonic Ball brings together Indy’s best bands and musicians on the Friday before Thanksgiving for an annual music festival at venues in Indy’s Fountain Square neighborhood in support of Second Helpings, a Central Indiana nonprofit fighting hunger from all angles. Since its inception in 2002, Tonic Ball has served as the launchpad for a supergroup, encouraged countless unique collaborations, and inspired at least one marriage. 

Musicians donate their time and talent, so every Tonic Ball ticket supports Second Helpings’ Food Rescue, Hunger Relief, and Culinary Job Training programs. Your Tonic Ball ticket helps more than 100 Central Indiana nonprofits who receive more than one million free meals from Second Helpings throughout the year. So grab a ticket, and do it quickly because Tonic Bell sells out long before sound check.

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Ekam produce chopping
Indianapolis Hunger Relief Agency

What is Second Helpings?

Fighting hunger from all angles.

Since 1998, Second Helpings has accepted donated perishable and overstocked food to prepare nutritious meals for thousands of hungry children and adults every day, and distributes them free of charge through local social service agencies in Greater Indianapolis. Second Helpings also trains unemployed and underemployed adults for meaningful careers in the culinary industry.

We’re a community kitchen. We don’t just collect food – we rescue food because we refuse to waste when others have none. We’re not just teaching people to cook – we’re providing an avenue for people to transform their own lives. Today, the need is so much greater than we ever imagined when we began – so we’ll go on undeterred. Will you join us?

Re-live the Action

Tonic Ball Past

Wondering which icons we’ve celebrated in the past? Find the full list here.

Contact Us

Media Inquiries

Contact Emily Martin, Marketing & Communications Manager at Second Helpings, for all media inquiries.

Address

Second HelpingsThe Eugene & Marilyn Glick Center1121 Southeastern Ave.Indianapolis, IN 46202