LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – As food insecurity rises across central Kentucky, organizers hope the community will step up again for the second annual Big Give food drive.
Lexington’s Big Give food drive kicked off Thursday to help God’s Pantry Food Bank stock its shelves ahead of a busy holiday season. Last year’s drive came amid significant challenges tied to the government shutdown. Donors gave more than 105,000 pounds of food, enough for nearly 89,000 meals, and organizers hope to beat that record this year.
“We want to beat our record from last year because we had a huge amount of food that carried God’s Pantry through the holidays,” Mayor Linda Gorton said.
According to the city, people also donated $6,000 to God’s Pantry Food Bank.
Alex Maddox, marketing and communications director for God’s Pantry Food Bank, said Lexington has a track record of showing up when people need help.
“Every time we raise the flag and say, ‘Hey, we need your help,’ Lexington constantly steps up,” Maddox said.
Need is greater this year
Maddox said organizers brought the drive back this year because more working families are being impacted by food insecurity. He said families are feeling the pressure of rising costs at the grocery stores and fuel pumps.
Food insecurity rates have risen 12% across the 50 counties God’s Pantry serves.
“We are now seeing today over 314,000 Kentuckians in our service area who are unsure where their next meal is coming from,” Maddox said.
What to donate and where
The food bank is asking for non-perishable food items like canned fruits and vegetables, starches and breakfast foods. Maddox said many of their partner pantries specifically request canned proteins and peanut butter.
“Odds are, folks are like me; there might be a couple of canned goods maybe hiding in the back of their pantry, and so this is a really easy but impactful way to get involved this year,” Maddox said.
In Lexington, most government buildings, several police stations, and every fire station serve as drop-off locations.
All donated food will stay local to Fayette County, ending up at God’s Pantry Food Bank headquarters to be sorted and redistributed to its five pantry locations in Lexington.
Monetary donations also encouraged
Maddox said monetary donations are just as impactful. A one-dollar donation allows staff at God’s Pantry to buy supplemental food for a well-rounded diet and cover transportation costs for its fleet of more than 14 tractor-trailers. He said one dollar represents enough food for four meals.
A recent Feeding America study found the average cost of a meal in Kentucky is $3.30, showing how donors can stretch their dollar by giving to the food bank.
“The old adage that no donation is too small could not be more true in this instance,” Maddox said.
The food drive runs until Nov. 30.
The Ways you can Donate:Online monetary donationsOr drop off food here – interactive map of drop-off locationsLexington police officers or Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies can accept donations as part of their regular duties out in the communityItems Needed:
Proteins:
Canned/pouched tunaCanned chicken, pork, beefPeanut butterBeansShelf-stable egg substitute
Vegetables:
Canned tomato products: diced, sauce, whole, pasteCanned peas, spinach, green beans, corn
Fruits:
Canned apples, peaches, pineapple, pears, pumpkinFruit cupsDried fruits
Starches:
Canned and instant potatoesMacaroni and cheeseDried pastaWhite and brown rice
Pantry Items:
Powdered and canned milkShelf-stable cheese productsSeasonings and spicesCondiments and sauces
Breakfast Foods:
CerealOatmealGritsGranola barsBiscuit and pancake mixesDrop-off Locations:
Public Safety Offices
Fire Station #1: 219 East Third StreetFire Station #2: 1276 Eastland DriveFire Station #3: 370 Merino StreetFire Station #4: 246 Jefferson StreetFire Station #5: 300 Woodland AvenueFire Station #6: 501 South LimestoneFire Station #7: 3307 Tates Creek RoadFire Station #8: 1725 North BroadwayFire Station #9: 2234 Richmond RoadFire Station #10: 1138 Finney Drive Fire Station #11: 1626 Harrodsburg RoadFire Station #12: 399 Southland Drive Fire Station #13: 1432 Leestown RoadFire Station #14: 1530 Roanoke RoadFire Station #15: 3308 Shillito Park RoadFire Station #16: 3700 Man O’ War BoulevardFire Station #17: 4075 Royster RoadFire Station #18: 1098 South Cleveland RoadFire Station #19: 3360 Huffman Mill ParkFire Station #20: 3001 Arrowhead Drive Fire Station #21: 3191 Mapleleaf Drive Fire Station #22: 4393 Clearwater WayFire Station #23: 5751 Briar Hill Road (Building 19 Bluegrass Station)Fire Station #24: 2754 Magnolia Springs Drive Lexington Police Headquarters: 150 East Main StreetWest Sector Police Roll Call: 1795 Old Frankfort ParkCentral Sector Police Roll Call: 1020 Industry RoadEast Sector Police Roll Call: 4385 Clearwater WayFayette County Sheriff’s Office: 150 North Limestone (Courthouse Lobby and #265)
God’s Pantry Food Banks:
God’s Pantry Food Bank: 2201 Innovation Drive and 817 Winchester Road
Government Buildings:
Government Center: 200 East Main StreetPhoenix Building: 101 East Vine StreetFayette County Clerk’s Office: 162 East Main Street (First and second floor)Lexington Senior Center: 195 Life LaneFamily Care Center: 1135 Harry Sykes Way
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