One in four children in our service area experience hunger. Learn what we’re doing to relieve child hunger in Central and Eastern Kentucky.
Food for growth
Kids and teens who don’t get enough to eat live at a disadvantage. When they’re hungry, children are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions. They’re more likely to have problems in school and social situations due to developmental and behavioral issues. It’s hard to concentrate in class or complete homework with a growling tummy. God’s Pantry Food Bank strives to alleviate childhood hunger so learning and growing are easier for all of Kentucky’s kids and teens.
BackPack Program
The BackPack Program helps meet the needs of hungry kids at times when food may not be available, such as weekends and school vacations. The BackPack Program discreetly provides a bag of child-friendly, nutritious, nonperishable food to qualifying children that receive free and reduced-price school lunches before a weekend or holiday. In fiscal year 2024, we distributed 53,477 BackPacks to kids.
The mission of the School Pantry Program is to alleviate child hunger by providing food to children and their families at school. School-based pantries are located on the school grounds, and provide a more readily accessible source of food assistance to students and their families.
During the school year, thousands of kids and teens in Central and Eastern Kentucky depend on free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches to help fulfill their nutritional needs. In the summer months, meals are are in shorter supply. We provide meals and snacks at libraries, churches, apartment complexes, and community centers by partnering with volunteers at these community-based sites. Kids and teens ages 18 and under are given meals and snacks free of charge and are invited to participate in fun activities happening at the community site.
The Summer Feeding Sites Program will resume Summer 2025.
