Lexington, Ky. – As Thanksgiving approaches, God’s Pantry of Lexington is confronting a surge in hunger that officials say is unprecedented in recent memory. Interim President and CEO Danielle Bozarth warned that food insecurity has climbed 12.4% this year, putting roughly 314,000 people in the pantry’s service area at risk.
Bozarth estimates the crisis could affect an additional 30,000 individuals before next Thanksgiving, noting, “I could see maybe a 10% increase. I do. I think it’s going to increase year over year.” The organization’s staff and volunteers are working around the clock to meet the growing demand.
Current food drive and community response
God’s Pantry is running a city‑wide food donation drive that will continue through the end of November. While the warehouse shelves appeared full during a recent visit, Bozarth cautioned that “it doesn’t take more than a few truckloads to clear the place out.” The effort is bolstered by Lexington’s “Big Give,” a city‑led initiative that encourages residents to drop off food at the pantry or any participating government location.
“Anybody can donate food, and they can drop it off here, or they can drop it off at any government location. It all comes here, and then it goes on someone’s plate at the end of the day,” Bozarth explained.
Statewide hunger picture
God’s Pantry estimates that more than 800,000 Kentuckians—about one‑quarter of the state’s population—are experiencing some level of food insecurity. The organization describes the figure as “staggering,” underscoring the urgency of the upcoming holiday season.
“Families are going to have a hard time after Thanksgiving,” Bozarth said. “Because you’re buying gifts for Christmas, you’re putting on a big Christmas meal as well, and also your heat and electric bills are higher, so come January, that’s when families are going to need us the most.”
Sharing Thanksgiving event
In addition to daily operations, God’s Pantry is preparing what it calls the biggest event of the year: a two‑day “Sharing Thanksgiving” distribution at Southland Christian Church. The pantry will hand out 7,000 boxed meals to ensure that families can enjoy a proper dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
Registration for the event is already complete, and the organization urges anyone who wishes to contribute—whether through food donations, monetary gifts, or volunteer time—to visit its website at www.godspantry.org.
How the community can help
Local churches, businesses, and individual citizens are all invited to participate in the drive. Bozarth emphasized that the pantry’s ability to meet demand hinges on community generosity: “We need the help of every family, every church, every business that can give, because the need is real and growing.”
With the holiday season looming, God’s Pantry of Lexington is calling on the region’s faith‑filled community to stand together, ensuring that no family goes hungry as they gather around the Thanksgiving table.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
