OAK GROVE, KY. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Feeding America-Kentucky’s Heartland paid a visit to the Oak Grove Community Center Tuesday, June 17, for a drive-thru food distribution event.
Around 295 families were served by close to 30 volunteers including city council members, the Oak Grove Police Department, local organizations, and Feeding America, who provided free food for Christian County residents.
Jamie Sizemore, a Feeding America representative, said the boxes of food contained mostly USDA commodities.
“There’s quite a bit of non-perishables,” Sizemore said. “We also have frozen fresh whole chickens. We’ve got grapes today and we’re also distributing a variety of cheeses that are in the boxes.”
Sizemore added that the Feeding America-Kentucky’s Heartland felt that they were not covering the southern end of Christian County and the goal was to get more food to reach those that are food insecure, especially the children.
“I’m just blessed and thankful, and I really appreciate the support,” said Edward Calhoun, one of the food recipients at the event.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for food in some areas to 30-60 percent. Feeding America is hoping to make the food distribution a monthly event.
Along with the food items, many people also received fans for the upcoming summer heat. Oak Grove City Councilwoman, Janet Edwards, was on hand to help with the food distribution, and support her program to pass out free fans.
“Every year, I put out for everyone in Oak Grove who doesn’t have air conditioning to let me know if they need a fan to help with the incredible heat and I will provide it,” Edwards said. “The last five years I have donated my city council pay for that.”
Edwards added that this year the rest of the Oak Grove City Council participated, and Raja Temple in Oak Grove also assisted with the free fan drive and now there are more fans available that people will be blessed with.
Special thanks also goes out to Melissa Lynch, Director of the Oak Grove Community Center and her staff for their support of the Feeding America-Kentucky’s Heartland food distribution event.
For more information about food distribution or to donate to the hunger-relief organization, visit feedingamericaky.org or call 270-769-6997.
