Recipient of $93,000 investment from Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland
Bowling Green – Calvary Care Center, an agency partner of Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH), celebrated a significant milestone on Monday with the grand opening of their new facility at 480 Beauty Court. The event marked the launch of their expanded food distribution, made possible by a generous $93,000 investment from FAKH. The celebration brought together community leaders, volunteers, and local partners to spotlight the center’s expanded capacity to serve their neighbors facing hunger.
The event featured remarks from FAKH Executive Director Charles Dennis, along with comments from representatives of Calvary Care Center, the Bowling Green Housing Authority and The American Red Cross. Following the speeches, Calvary Care Center demonstrated their mission by distributing food to community members in need, showcasing their expanded capacity and addressing the growing demand for their services.
Calvary Care Center now operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays during the second full week of each month. The center aims to extend these hours in the coming months to include evenings and weekends, making it more convenient for working individuals. Foregoing the drive-thru model, attendees enter the pantry to register and receive food resources. Volunteers assist by loading the food into vehicles or, for those without access to a vehicle, by carrying the food to nearby homes.
Established by Calvary Baptist Church in 2000, Calvary Care Center has long supported community members with supplemental food needs. Until May 2024, the center operated out of a 500-square-foot building, which presented numerous challenges that limited the center’s capacity. The original space had insufficient food storage, allowed for a limited variety of food due to lack of room for essential equipment, and had inadequate room for neighbors to park at or come inside the center.
In response to the devastating 2021 tornadoes that affected much of Western Kentucky, including Bowling Green, FAKH invested $75,000 in Calvary Care Center to help secure a new facility, along with $18,000 for food purchases and fuel expenses. This investment enabled the center to expand its capacity to feed its neighbors, better prepare for future disasters and facilitate growth in an area with a high need for accessible resources.
The investment by FAKH into Calvary Care Center was part of a broader effort to support Warren County-based food insecurity resources. Other beneficiaries included First Christian Church Community Grocery Store, Greenwood Park Church of Christ, MEALS, Inc., SOKY Patriots, the Boys & Girls Club of the Bowling Green Area and House on the Hill Inc.
“We are thrilled to see Calvary Care Center expand its reach and capacity to serve the Warren County community. This new facility, with the expanded opportunities it offers in service of neighbors, will make a significant difference in the lives of so many families,” said Dennis.
Located near the Bowling Green Housing Authority in downtown Bowling Green, Calvary Care Center frequently serves neighbors without reliable access to transportation. Despite the presence of many FAKH agency partners in Warren County, the center can assist those facing hunger who may have no other way to obtain resources.
According to Calvary Care Center leader, John Lawyer, the organization expects a substantial increase in food distribution over the next six months as a result of the new facility.
“With this new location, we are well-positioned to meet the growing needs of our community and provide essential resources to those who need them most,” said Calvary Care Center leader, John Lawyer. “We are thankful for the support of our community and organizations like Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, which make our efforts possible.”
To learn more about Calvary Care Center, visit www.calvarybg.org/calvary-care-center.