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Covid-19 Response Fund Donation Allocated to Feeding America, in Butler County

In April 2020, the Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund received a generous gift from Jeff Bezos, which allowed Feeding America to immediately disperse funds to support Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) and their COVID-19 response work efforts in Butler County and other 41 counties in the service area.

  The grant allows the 200 network members across the United States to support the front line costs of the regional food banks and its partner agencies, while serving those in need during this time of uncertainty and to address future food insecurity concerns.

 “FAKH will continue to serve those we were already serving and to those who are coming to us for the first time because of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.” Jamie Sizemore, FAKH Executive Director said. “This generous grant will allow us to not only continue our mission, but to make sure our partner agencies, who are serving on the front lines in their local communities, are able to maintain their efforts.”

The $624,280 allocation to FAKH allows the regional food bank to credit allocations to 132 partner agencies in the form of $400,000 in food and $75,000 in other costs.  The remaining money from the grant will be used for the food bank’s increasing food distribution costs.

Partner agencies in Butler County who are distributing food to those in need in their county during the COVID-19 uncertainty will receive the grant assistance. These partner agencies are Butler County Community Action, Morgantown Mission, and Wilson Home General Baptist.

To many of FAKH’s partner agencies which depend heavily on local community donations, the COVID-19 Response Funds come at a perfect time.

 “Our thrift store which normally supports our food pantry had to shut down in March and since then, our pantry has been struggling to meet the needs of our community members.” said Garry McKinney, Director of Morgantown Mission in Butler County. “The grant couldn’t have come at a better time for us. I can now concentrate on helping our community with other needs, such as utility help and rent assistance. I won’t have to worry about stocking our shelves with food because this grant will help to do that.”

The food bank and partner agencies have seen a spike in the numbers of people requesting food assistance since the middle of March from 30 to 60 percent. The numbers started to pick up dramatically after many businesses were shut down due to the COVID-19, and requests haven’t slowed yet.

 “In just one week of April, we distributed 444,597 pounds of food, which is a record for our food bank.” said Sizemore. “While this grant is very generous and a lot of money, unfortunately, it is projected that families and senior citizens will need six months to a year to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and this food will go quickly.”

 About Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland

Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland is a regional food bank that provides assistance to more than 174,500 people in 42 Kentucky counties each year.  Through support from individuals and organizations, such as United Way, FAKH distributes over 14 million pounds of food to over 225 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. FAKH also sponsors various hunger relief programs including the BackPack™ Program and Senior Box (CSFP) Program.  FAKH’s main office and warehouses are located on Peterson Drive in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.  For more information or to volunteer, sponsor a fundraiser or a food drive, or to make a secure online donation to Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, visit their website at:  www.feedingamericaky.org

 

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