BRADD participating in statewide food drive
Published 10:30 pm Friday, October 20, 2017
Local food pantries and school family resource centers could be getting a boost in their emergency food supplies, thanks to an effort being coordinated by Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and the state’s Council of Area Development Districts.
Called the Commonwealth Bowl of Kentucky, the statewide effort involves the 15 area development districts in a campaign to reach a goal of 400,000 pounds of food or $50,000 raised from Oct. 16-27.
Locally, the Barren River Area Development District at 177 Graham Ave. in Bowling Green is the drop-off point for anyone wishing to donate nonperishable food items. The BRADD office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The BRADD office will also accept monetary donations, but BRADD Executive Director Eric Sexton said the preferred method of donating is through the Kentucky Association of Food Banks’ website at https://kafb.org/take-action/donate-funds/.
Food items collected at the BRADD office will go to the Feeding America food bank in Elizabethtown, one of Kentucky’s seven regional food banks, but will then be distributed to food pantries throughout the 10-county Barren River region.
Sexton said the Barren River region is home to 40 food pantries, ranging from churches to nonprofit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club.
Sexton, who has volunteered at the Elizabethtown food bank, said: “I was stunned to learn that 700,000 Kentucky residents struggle with getting enough food every day.”
This is the first year for the Commonwealth Bowl of Kentucky, and Kentucky Association of Food Banks Executive Director Tamara Sandberg said the participation of the ADDs is welcome.
“We’re thrilled that the development districts are getting involved,” Sandberg said. “Too many Kentuckians are struggling with hunger. Food banks struggle to keep up with the demand. This event will make a huge dent.”
Sexton said BRADD staff members will cap off the local drive by collecting canned food items at drop-off points at Bowling Green’s three Kroger grocery stores from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Friday.
