God’s Pantry Food Bank tackling food insecurity through Thanksgiving meal distribution

LEXINGTON, KY (WTVQ)- As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, families are preparing for food, fellowship and family visits. But according to God’s Pantry Food Bank, there are thousands in Central and Eastern Kentucky who can’t afford to put a holiday meal on the table this year.

“That’s because of inflation, that’s because of the pandemic era stimulus packages no longer being available. There’s lot of factors. We know there’s a lot of people hungry,” says God’s Pantry Food Bank CEO Michael Halligan.

That’s why the non-profit is stepping in to help.

Southland Church off Richmond Road became the Fayette County site of the non-profit’s Sharing Thanksgiving Program. 2023 marked the food bank’s 30th year completing the program.

“Today, we are matching up all of those non-perishables with turkey, potatoes, eggs, onions, and butter. So that folks can prepare that meal. Everyone is referred to us and pre-registered,” says Halligan.

Halligan says seven thousand meals will have been distributed in Fayette and seven other counties across by the programs conclusion. Those meals will go to people who other wise wouldn’t be able to afford a Thanksgiving meal for their families.

The pantry estimates a 20% increase in demand in food pantry and meal programs so far in the past year. And they expect that number to climb even higher.

“The USDA just announced the 2022 food insecurity data nationwide. And it shows a 31% increase in individuals living in households that experience food insecurity. Its gone from 33 million to 41 million,” says Halligan.

That’s why Halligan says it’s more important now than ever to make sure Kentucky’s families are taken care of.

“During the holidays is one time when a lot of people think about hunger and think about food insecurity. There are people who have scarce resources that are trying to stretch their budgets to be able to enjoy whatever enjoyment they can get out of the holiday season. And if we can help provide food so that somebody does not have to worry about that part of their budget, we are more than happy to do so,” says Halligan.

The distribution will continue Tuesday at Southland Church. Again, all boxes of food have already been claimed.