Feeding Kentucky

Congratulations to these two Kentuckians who were named Summer EBT Champions by No Kid Hungry: Allen Poynter, Director of Pupil Personnel, Hart County Schools, and Lauren Connors, LMFT, FRC, Family Resource Coordinator, Fayette County Public Schools! For Allen, “Summer EBT is important to me because it helps ensure that when school is out, our children still have the food they need to stay healthy and ready to return to the classroom.” For Lauren, “When summer EBT is available more families have food resources that can provide fresh foods for their families. This helps increase nutrition, brain function and physical wellness.” Thank you both for all you do to make sure no child goes hungry over the summer!

ICYMI: Our Hunger Study Dashboard is officially live! Check out the video on our website explaining how to work it, and make sure to take a few minutes to learn more about what hunger currently looks like in Kentucky: https://lnkd.in/eXdPy7M6

Feeding Kentucky, Kentucky Kids Eat, and No Kid Hungry Kentucky are proud to share that the Commonwealth is the home of a No Kid Hungry 2026 Summer Hunger Hero! Congratulations to Jennifer Wheeler, Nutrition Director for Marion County Public Schools! Whether it's ensuring kids receive summer meals or engaging families with information about Summer EBT, Jennifer embodies what it truly means to be a Summer Hunger Hero. Our team is honored to know and work with Jennifer. Read about her and the other honorees here: https://lnkd.in/gT9T62R4

Nearly 550,000 Kentuckians rely on food assistance programs like SNAP. When HR1 became law, part of the program’s funding was shifted to states. Senators need to approve this cost shift, giving states more time to implement these changes. Call Senators McConnell and Paul TODAY and tell them to delay Kentucky's SNAP cost shift! Sen. McConnell: (202) 224-2541 Sen. Paul: (202)-224-4343

HR1 shifted part of SNAP's funding to states. Senators need to approve a cost shift delay, giving states more time to implement these new changes. If this is not approved, nutrition assistance could be jeopardized for the nearly 550,000 Kentuckians on the program. Call Senators McConnell and Paul TODAY and tell them to delay Kentucky's SNAP cost shift! Sen. McConnell: (202) 224-2541 Sen. Paul: (202)-224-4343

This week, our Executive Director Melissa McDonald chatted with the Lexington Herald-Leader about the recent hunger study findings. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/eHEhuqDb

Today is World Hunger Day, Kentucky! According to recent data, over 750,000 Kentuckians are food insecure. That’s over 16% of our population in the state. Until that number hits zero, we will continue advocate for policies to end hunger and continue working with farmers, food banks, schools, and other partners to provide meals for Kentuckians in need.

BREAKING NEWS! Our Hunger Study Dashboard is LIVE. This dashboard helps break down the hunger study, various trends amongst different segments, and it helps tell the picture of what hunger looks like right now in Kentucky. Make sure to check it out at the link: https://lnkd.in/eXdPy7M6 

Last month’s record-breaking Clays for a Cause charitable fundraiser allowed our executive leadership team to present a total of $402,617 to four outstanding organizations fighting food and housing insecurity across the Commonwealth: Feeding Kentucky, Glean Kentucky, Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry, and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville. We sincerely thank our many generous sponsors and participants for making this possible! Pictured from left to right are: Shane Wiseman, KFB First Vice President; Eddie Melton, KFB President; Shilo Smaldone, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations; John Sparrow, KFB Insurance Executive Vice President & CEO; Lesley Kinney, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville Chief Development Officer; Tom Waters, Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry Board Member; Kristin Ingwell-Goode, Feeding Kentucky Director of Development; Tom Hebert, Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry Chairman; Jennifer Palmer, Glean Kentucky Executive Director; and Larry Clark, KFB Second Vice President. #BigOnCommitment

Last month, Sarah Vaughn our Programs Director was presented with the Continued Excellence Award at the Kentucky Farm Women Summit! Sarah works directly with our farmers to help provide food for Kentuckians, and we are excited to see her work be recognized!