Community Bands Together for “Feed the Need” Food Drive in Southern Kentucky
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — United Way Southern Kentucky hosted a successful “Feed the Need” food drive over the weekend. This event ran across 19 locations in seven counties, gathering essential non-perishable items for those in need.
Suzanne Ogawa, a board member of United Way Southern Kentucky, explained how the process works. “We have volunteers collecting donations at Kroger. Everything stays local, going directly to food pantries and organizations in counties like Allen and Warren,” she said. This keeps the support within the community, helping those facing food insecurity.
Over the two-day event, the drive collected tens of thousands of shelf-stable food items. The response from the community was remarkable. “We saw beautiful support from everyday shoppers,” Ogawa noted. Local businesses like Kroger played a crucial role, making it easy for people to give back while they shopped.
Ogawa emphasized how the food drive fosters community spirit. “We’re stronger when we help each other. It’s heartwarming to see donations come from those simply doing their groceries,” she added.
According to recent statistics from the Feeding America network, around 1 in 9 Americans face hunger. Local initiatives like this food drive are vital for addressing these challenges. They remind us that small actions can lead to significant change.
On Tuesday, local nonprofits will begin sorting and distributing the collected items to food pantries and community organizations. As Ogawa passionately stated, “It’s beautiful to see the cycle—from shoppers to those receiving help.”
For more information about food insecurity and how to help, visit the Feeding America website.
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