ASHLAND, Ky. (WYMT) – Kentucky Power’s Power Up the Pantry delivered its biggest results yet Wednesday, collecting more than 4,000 pounds of nonperishable food and $50,000 in financial support for God’s Pantry Food Bank and Facing Hunger Foodbank.
Community collection effort
Collection sites across eastern Kentucky brought together customers, employees, businesses and community partners to support the food banks that help keep local pantries stocked all year long. Combined, the financial contributions are equivalent to more than 378,000 meals, in addition to the more than two tons of food collected.
“This was our most successful Power Up the Pantry yet, and it happened because communities across eastern Kentucky showed up in a big way,” said Ryan Lake, Kentucky Power external affairs manager. “Every donation makes a difference, and all of the food and financial support from this effort stays in our region to help our food bank partners serve our neighbors.”
Foundation grants and donations
The $50,000 includes grants recommended to the food banks by the Kentucky Power Foundation, which is funded solely through shareholder dollars. The Foundation awarded $15,000 to God’s Pantry Food Bank and $10,000 to Facing Hunger Foodbank. Additional contributions from businesses and organizations helped push this year’s total to a new high.
God’s Pantry Food Bank serves communities across central and eastern Kentucky through a network of local food pantries and meal programs, while Facing Hunger Foodbank supports pantries serving Boyd, Greenup, Lawrence and Martin counties in Kentucky.
Community partners contribute
Kentucky Power officials say the record-setting results were made possible through support from community partners, including WYMT, Community Trust Bank and UK King’s Daughters, along with businesses, organizations and employees that contributed additional financial support.
“The support for this event continues to grow every year,” Lake said. “Thanks to our partners and everyone who came out to participate, this year’s effort generated support equivalent to approximately 378,000 meals. That is an incredible impact for our communities and a tremendous example of what we can accomplish together.”
The Kentucky Power Foundation awards charitable grants within communities served by Kentucky Power, an operating subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP). The Kentucky Power Foundation, along with the rest of the American Electric Power Foundation, is funded by AEP and its operating subsidiaries solely through shareholder dollars.
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