The chief executive officer of a well-known central Kentucky food bank believes hunger in the Commonwealth can be defeated over time. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton joined God’s Pantry CEO Mike Halligan to declare Thursday “Hunger Action Day.”
Halligan said nationally one in nine people are food insecure. That number is one in six across the Commonwealth. Still Halligan said an end to hunger can come when less food is thrown out. “If we can figure out how to be a little bit more thoughtful on maintaining that food in a safe way and what we don’t need ourselves getting to someone else. What we choose not to purchase in a grocery store becomes available for someone who can’t afford it,” explained Halligan.
The God’s Pantry director said September is a good month to make a financial donation to the food bank organization.
Due to a pool of money from contributors, Halligan said cash donations this month are doubled and thus particularly effective in helping the food pantry feed those in need. “For three dollars, we’re able to feed a family of four for an entire weekend. For a little over ten dollars, that same family for an entire week and it’s produce, it’s meat protein, it’s dairy items. It’s a week’s worth of groceries that we typically distribute to someone in need,” said Halligan
Halligan’s three key suggestions tied to “Hunger Action Day” are to share stories of those in need, volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen, and to make a donation.
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