Describe the Issue or Situation.

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 the Feeding America website, the percentage of food insecurity in Kentucky is 14.8%. Hunger is a problem in every part of the United States. But it is more common in rural areas. Rural areas comprise less than two-thirds of all U.S. counties, but 9 out of 10 counties with the highest food insecurity rates are rural. 

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

The results after attending the program were that 99.33 percent of participants could describe concerns related to food insecurity in Spencer County.  99.83 percent identified that food insecurity is a problem in Spencer County, and 99.3 percent of participants agreed on developing one common goal to address food insecurity in Spencer County.

After identifying local community resources and developing a project, Homemakers decided to help collect canned goods for the community by donating canned goods to the blessing boxes. They partnered with the 2^nd Baptist church and Dare to Care. Homemakers shared the food insecurity information they had learned from the lessons. They communicated the needs of local food pantries, friends, and family, asking people to bring canned food donations to the area blessing boxes in the county.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

To address this problem, the Spencer County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences shared Hunger in Kentucky lessons with the Extension Homemakers in Spencer County.

Members of the homemakers group attended a lunch and learn program at the Spark Community Café, which provides excellent food with dignity for all our patrons in their community space that educates, entertains, and accepts all who walk through our doors.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

During September, Spencer County Homemakers collected canned goods and donated the items to continue to check and fill the food blessing boxes on Main Street. One participant takes canned goods she collects at the 2nd Baptist church on Sunday morning and cleans and fills the box with fresh items.  She commented, “I’m so thankful for my blessings, and we need to help more in the community by continuing to fill the blessing boxes with donations of canned goods and donating our time to the food pantry. “