Success StoryHunger in Kentucky



Hunger in Kentucky

Author: Christy Stearns

Planning Unit: Clinton County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Plan of Work: Healthy & Active Lifestyles: Nutrition & Food Access, Physical & Mental Health

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Food insecurity is the consistent lack of enough food for everyone in a household to live an active, healthy life. According to 2019 Feeding America Map the Meal Gap data (https://map.feedingamerica.org/), the average food insecurity rate for the 10 county Lake Cumberland Area is 16.2%. 

In order to address this problem, the Clinton County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences shared Hunger in Kentucky lessons with the Extension Homemakers in ten Lake Cumberland counties. 94% of participants indicated that they could identify resources to address food insecurity in their communities following the lesson. Discussion in each community focused on goals such as encouraging others to volunteer, starting little food pantries (blessing boxes) or implementing more throughout the community, communicating better about available resources, addressing transportation, and working with youth to create a map of food resources in the community. 

Extension Homemakers from throughout the area voluntarily provided phone feedback to the Agent about what they had done or learned months following the lesson. As one member shared, “I have found out more than I ever knew about”. She went on to describe local church and business collaboration projects which provided meals to families, low-cost bulk food purchase opportunities within the area, and her Extension Homemaker club’s efforts to stock blessing boxes throughout the community. 






Stories by Christy Stearns


Grow Your Garden, Grow Your Mind

about 1 years ago by Christy Stearns

2023 Kentucky County Health Rankings data for Clinton County notes that adults reported that their p... Read More


Babysitting Clinic

about 1 years ago by Christy Stearns

Due to increased work responsibilities for parents, older siblings are often left to care for young ... Read More


Stories by Clinton County CES


Grow Your Garden, Grow Your Mind

about 1 years ago by Christy Stearns

2023 Kentucky County Health Rankings data for Clinton County notes that adults reported that their p... Read More


Babysitting Clinic

about 1 years ago by Christy Stearns

Due to increased work responsibilities for parents, older siblings are often left to care for young ... Read More