The Gallatin County Food Pantry – Fighting Hunger One Meal at a Time!
Our community has many individuals who face food insecurity. There are many in need today and they are having to choose between skipping meals or eating less on a regular basis. The Gallatin County Food Pantry is here as a resource to those who need assistance through a difficult time for many reasons. We serve the unemployed as well as the underemployed, households whose income does not stretch to cover food expenses, older adults on fixed incomes, temporarily homeless households and many others who are suffering due to unfavorable economic conditions. It is our hope that this assistance will ease some of the financial hardships so many are facing and that we will be a bridge of support to alleviate the fear of hunger in our community.
In 2014 the Gallatin County Food Pantry was founded by Lesa Bullard and Tammy Trimble with the help of a generous grant provided by the RC Durr Foundation and the Freestore Foodbank. The three year grant helped the ladies lay the foundation for a permanent food pantry. They assembled a strong team to get things started and began holding monthly mobile food distributions in the former American Racing warehouse in Warsaw, Kentucky. These mobile pantries provided specific food items for healthy meals to over 100 Gallatin County families each month. Several months later, the Pantry moved into a permanent location at 205 W. Pearl Street in Warsaw, Kentucky. At this site, the all-volunteer team sorts, stores, and distributes a monthly food supplement to those who need assistance.
Once in a permanent location with Serve Safe Food Handling guidelines being met and fulfilment of the grant requirements, the Pantry was converted from mobile to a Choice Pantry in February 2015. This conversion allows participants to personally choose their distribution items.
The Freestore Foodbank has provided continuous training and support as well as healthy guidelines for food selections and nutrition. Monthly the Freestore’s delivery truck brings much of our food supply to our door. The remainder of our food has either been donated or purchased with monetary gifts received through individuals as well as fundraising efforts and local grants.
With the combined abilities and efforts of our many volunteers, hundreds of families have been served and our volunteers have enjoyed an opportunity to assist their neighbors in need.
Are you hungry or do you know some who may be suffering in silence? Please let others know about us by talking about this topic, supporting our efforts, getting involved, setting an example for others and encouraging those around you to do the same. Together we CAN make a difference.
Some staggering statistics from our partner, Feeding America:
Kentucky ranks 4th highest in the nation for poverty.
Kentucky ranks 17th in household food insecurity with a rate of 17.2%.
Kentucky ranks 28th in child food insecurity with a rate of 22.4%
Based on their Map the Meal Gap 2015 Survey, Gallatin County has a 15.7% food insecurity rate.
The population data from 2015 indicates 8,567 people reside here with an estimated 1,100 of them being food insecure.
Food insecurity is the lack of access at times to enough food for an active, healthy life or the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.
These statistics make it clear that we have many neighbors in need in Gallatin County and that is why the GCFP is determined to do everything we can to alleviate hunger in our community.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Gallatin County Food Pantry exists to alleviate hunger in our community.
DONATIONS:
As the Pantry continues to grow and serve many individuals and families, fundraising and donations are vital to our success. If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may do so by one of the ways listed below:
Mail a check or money order payable to the Gallatin County Food Pantry and mail it to us at Gallatin County Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1222, Warsaw, KY 41095.
In person at Truist Bank, 440 E. Main Street, Warsaw, Kentucky.
Donate now using the button below:
Memorial donations are a special remembrance of made be made to honor someone special. If you would like to make a donation in memory or in honor of a special person, please include the person’s name and where an acknowledgement should be sent.
In Memory of ________________ OR In Honor of Send Acknowledgement to _________________________ Address ______________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________
No donation is too small – whether it’s one can of food or $1 – every donation makes a difference!
Non-perishable food donations may be made by contacting the GCFP at 859-816-1486.