In a community of 14,000, hunger is more than just a statistic—it’s a reality for many families, seniors, and children who struggle to put food on the table. The PENco Hunger Helpers, an informal working group of the Pendleton County Extension Office County Extension Council, has been leading efforts to measure the need, coordinate services, and break the stigma surrounding food assistance. Through collaboration and strategic action, they are making a tangible impact in the fight against food insecurity.

A Community in Need

Food insecurity doesn’t have a single face—it affects working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and children relying on school meal programs. Across Pendleton County, meal services help fill the gap:

• Open Hands Ministries delivers 530 meals per week to families, many of whom rely on this as their primary meal source.
• The Gathering Wing served 600 families in just one month.
• The Mobile Food Pantry provides food for 130 people per month.
• School food programs (FRYSC) supply weekly meal packs to 110 students—and that number is growing.
• Senior meal programs serve 90 meals per month, in addition to supplemental services like the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (Sr. FMNP), which helps seniors access fresh, healthy food.
• The Pendleton County Library provides household staples to help families stretch their budgets for food.

These numbers tell a powerful story—hunger is here, and the need is growing.

From Learning to Leading Change

Two years ago, the County Extension Council immersed itself in understanding hunger in Kentucky through a statewide initiative. What started as an educational focus transformed into action with the formation of PENco Hunger Helpers—a group that meets quarterly to streamline resources, improve communication, and strategize long-term solutions.

Since its inception, PENco Hunger Helpers has:
? Created and distributed over 2,500 copies of a comprehensive food resource guide, connecting families with vital services.
? Partnered with the local newspaper to share feature stories that highlight hunger relief efforts and provide a call to action for the community to get involved.
? Developed a hunger simulation using the Hunger in Kentucky curriculum to help community members and elected officials experience the challenges of food insecurity firsthand.
? Strengthened partnerships between agencies, ensuring that services are more strategic and efficient, reducing duplication and maximizing impact.

One local volunteer summed it up best: “We used to work in silos, but now we’re working together. Families aren’t slipping through the cracks because we are communicating and coordinating better than ever.”

Breaking the Stigma, Building Solutions

Despite the growing need, stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to food access. Many families hesitate to seek help, and elected officials often underestimate the true scope of hunger in their own communities. By leading hunger simulations, PENco Hunger Helpers is shifting mindsets—showing people firsthand what it means to struggle with food insecurity.

Through data-driven action, community engagement, and a commitment to strategic solutions, PENco Hunger Helpers is creating real change—helping to feed more neighbors, eliminate barriers, and bring hunger out of the shadows.