March 28, 2017 – Situated on the far western border of Kentucky, Ballard County ranks 86th among all Kentucky counties in terms of size. Comprised of just 254 square miles, it may surprise you that Ballard County is one full of greatness. It’s the birthplace of the “Mighty Mississippi”1, the spot where the Mississippi River joins the Ohio River. It was part of the Jackson Purchase, increasing the size of Kentucky and the United States in 1818. And for you basketball fans, you’ll be interested to know that it is also home to Kenny Rollins, former University of Kentucky “Fab Five” player and Olympic gold medalist2. But what isn’t great is the fact that hunger plagues nearly 1,200 of their residents every day.
Ballard County is one of the 42 counties served by our organization. According to a Feeding America study, approximately 1 in 7 people living in Ballard County (14.5%) are food-insecure. This means that while they might not be going completely without food, they don’t always know when or where that food will come from. To help alleviate this uncertainty, there are several programs in Wickliffe and other parts of the county that provide a reliable, consistent source of food for these individuals and their families. These programs are run by the Purchase Area Development District (PADD), the Partner Distributing Organization (PDO) that operates under FAKH in western Kentucky.
There are currently 3 partner agencies within the county. Through our partnership with PADD and these local agencies, not only are these individuals and families able to fill their pantries and tables with various food items, but there are also programs that support those in the community who are more vulnerable. For example, each month more than 65 seniors receive a box of food through the CSFP Program. This government commodities program helps support those who are 60 and older that struggle to meet all of their own needs, usually because of a limited income.
We are incredibly grateful for PADD, the agencies in Ballard County, and all that they are doing to fight hunger in western Kentucky. But there is still a lot to be done. Like the Mississippi River that flows nearby, we want to make sure Ballard County is strong and thriving. With your help, this can become a reality!
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