Food insecurity is the consistent lack of enough food for everyone in a household to live an active, healthy life. According to 2018 data from Feeding America website (https://feedingamerica.org), the percentage of food insecurity in Kentucky is 14.8%. In Cumberland County, 83% of the population is below the the SNAP and other nutrition program threshold of 200% (https://feedingamerica.org). Rural communities are often faced with higher rates of food insecurity. 

In order to address this problem, the Cumberland County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences collaborated with the Cumberland County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources to present Hunger in Kentucky. The agents partnered with the local food pantry (Feed My Sheep) and invited elected officials to attend the program at the food pantry on a day of distribution to clients. The newly elected Mayor and newly elected County Judge Executive and staff attended the program and participated in the simulation. Feed My Sheep volunteers interacted with the participants and answered questions that the Mayor, Judge and staff had concerning the food pantry. At the conclusion of the simulation, all of the participants lacked enough food to provide for their "family" for the month. They were challenged to come up with goals that their offices/businesses could set to help combat hunger in the county.

The County Judge Executive invited Feed My Sheep volunteers to present at the next Fiscal Court meeting to educate elected officials of the work and impact being made by the food pantry. Volunteers attended the fiscal court meeting and addressed magistrates, emergency management, sheriff department and others in attendance and answered questions. The County Judge Executive further plans to sign a proclamation in September for Hunger Action Month and invited the volunteers back to be part of it. Plans are forthcoming to promote Hunger Action Month and raise awareness of the issue of Hunger in Kentucky and specifically in Cumberland County in September.