Lexington is launching a month-long food drive as a response to delays in SNAP benefits this month amid the government shutdown.
“Lexington’s Big Give” started Monday and continues through December 2. Donation areas are set up around the city’s government buildings and public safety offices, along with God’s Pantry Food Bank locations. They’re requesting non-perishable, shelf-stable food items.
Mayor Linda Gorton said the idea was put into action relatively quickly after discussions with city commissioners last week.
“It grew from that one statement in my senior leader meeting, and that's kind of how things can happen,” she said. “It happened quickly. I heard it on Monday. We talked about it on Tuesday. We had some folks internally, on a Zoom, and off we went.”
The Trump administration said Monday it would partially fund SNAP after rulings last week required it to keep the program running. But there could still be delays on when SNAP recipients could see those funds show up on their debit cards.
Commissioner of Social Services Kacy Allen-Bryant said the donations would also help city initiatives, like the Family Care Center, provide to families.
“As I walk through the Family Care Center's halls on Friday, I thought about the potential 50% to 60% of the center's families who already need extra support accessing food. We anticipate that number rising,” she said.
Gorton says if the drive goes well, they’ll continue to run similar drives in the future. Nearly 15,000 households in Fayette County got SNAP benefits in October, according to state data.
Charles Mead is a Lexington resident who typically relies on food pantries to feed his family. He says the drive’s announcement was a relief to him.
“It's scary to me to think that now everybody's worrying about food pantries. With the food stamps, is there going to be enough food in these food pantries? And now I'm seeing that (the city is) making big moves like this, and it's giving me a little hope,” Mead said.
Drop-off locations in Lexington include:
- Fire Station #1: 219 E Third St
- Fire Station #2: 1276 Eastland Dr
- Fire Station #3: 370 Merino St
- Fire Station #4: 246 Jefferson St
- Fire Station #5: 300 Woodland Ave
- Fire Station #6: 501 S Limestone
- Fire Station #7: 3307 Tates Creek Rd
- Fire Station #8: 1725 N Broadway
- Fire Station #9: 2234 Richmond Rd
- Fire Station #10: 1138 Finney Dr
- Fire Station #11: 1626 Harrodsburg Rd
- Fire Station #12: 399 Southland Dr
- Fire Station #13: 1432 Leestown Rd
- Fire Station #14: 1530 Roanoke Rd
- Fire Station #15: 3308 Shillito Park Rd
- Fire Station #16: 3700 Man O' War Blvd
- Fire Station #17: 4075 Royster Rd
- Fire Station #18: 1098 S Cleveland Rd
- Fire Station #19: 3360 Huffman Mill Pk
- Fire Station #20: 3001 Arrowhead Dr
- Fire Station #21: 3191 Mapleleaf Dr
- Fire Station #22: 4393 Clearwater Way
- Fire Station #23: 5751 Briar Hill Rd (Bldg19 Bluegrass Sta.)
- Fire Station #24: 2754 Magnolia Springs Dr
- Lexington Police Headquarters: 150 E Main St
- West Sector Police Roll Call: 1795 Old Frankfort Pk
- Central Sector Police Roll Call: 1020 Industry Rd
- East Sector Police Roll Call: 4385 Clearwater Way
- Fayette County Sheriff’s Office: 150 N Limestone (Courthouse Lobby and #265)
- God's Pantry Food Bank: 2201 Innovation Dr and 817 Winchester Rd
- Government Center: 200 E Main St
- Phoenix Building: 101 E Vine St
- Fayette County Clerk's Office: 162 E Main St (1st & 2nd Floor)
- Lexington Senior Center: 195 Life Ln
- Family Care Center: 1135 Harry Sykes Way
Monetary donations are also being accepted online. Donations are also being accepted by Lexington police officers and Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies.
