Feeding the Food Insecure

According to the Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" report for 2021, which provides estimates of food insecurity rates in the United States, the overall food insecurity rate for Kentucky was approximately 14.5% in 2019. This means that around 1 in 7 individuals in Kentucky experienced food insecurity.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, food programs and emergency services were in abundance. Individuals who normally wouldn't be eligible for SNAP benefits were able to receive them (seniors included) and school-age children received their own benefit cards to help families in need. There were lunch programs throughout the summer that were open to anyone under the age of 19 because the food was not only in short supply, but also extremely expensive. As the spread of Covid-19 has slowed down, these extra benefits have stopped, but food prices are still rising leaving a lot of people not only hungry but food insecure. Food banks in Maysville (Mason County), KY only open once a month or once a week and Blessing Boxes are often empty.

To address concerns about food insecurity, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant in Mason County applied for a grant from the local paper manufacturer (International Paper).  The proposal offered a way to help feed those individuals in the community who struggle to find access to food on a weekly basis, with no age or income limit for this program.  The EFNEP assistant would work with schools, food banks, and other appropriate community agencies to try to identify individuals needing the service. Healthy food options would be put in backpacks for individuals to either pick up once a week or, in some cases, delivered.   Recipes would also be included in the backpacks to give guidance on healthy food choices. If the person is homeless, non-perishable items would be put in their backpack.  

The program will begin when the funds are received, and people identified. It would end when the funds expire.