Food insecurity and food deserts in Kentucky have always been a challenge but the Covid 19 pandemic has driven those number to new heights and those who have never sought assistance before found themselves in need. Kentucky has the eighth-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation and the highest rate among adults ages 50-59 at 17.3%, which is well above the national average of 10.6%, according to Feeding America. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity among seniors in Kentucky was substantially higher than it was before the Great Recession. The elderly, who are already at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and represent a proportional percentage of Kentucky’s rural population, are more susceptible when they are food insecure. While 196,000 seniors in Kentucky are eligible for SNAP benefits, just 32% benefit from the program. More than half of the counties in Kentucky, 71-of-120, have a child food insecurity rate of 20% or higher, and 67% of SNAP participants in Kentucky are families with children, according to the report. A recent study from Columbia University found the cost of groceries in rural areas is 4.2% higher than in urban areas and has risen during the pandemic.

The Laurel County Extension Office collaborated with God’s Food Pantry, a dozen local businesses and organizations in facilitating the Sharing Thanksgiving Program.  The six local food pantries registered 500 low income households in London and Corbin areas.  Each household was provided a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner box containing turkey and all the fixings for 6-8 people.  The Laurel County Extension Office facility was utilized for the drive thru, socially distanced, and no contact distribution.  The Laurel County Extension Agents coordinated volunteers, notified city police to discuss traffic flow, set up stations including an information stop with extension publications, directed traffic, and handed out food boxes.  The event was very well organized and much appreciated by recipients.