Lexington-area food pantries are here to help. Here’s where, how to get food assistance
Food insecurity is leaving many across Kentucky hungry as the U.S. heads toward a potential recession at a time when gas prices are high, inflation is increasing and the unemployment rate is fluctuating.
Kentucky has a poverty rate of 14.9%, while Fayette County comes in at 15.8%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to Feeding America, an organization aimed at fighting food insecurity, 1 in 7 people face hunger in Kentucky, including 179,030 children.
With inflation and increasing gas prices, many individuals may be facing food insecurity in the Lexington area. Here’s where and how to collect food from pantries in and surrounding Lexington and ways you can help fight hunger.
God’s Pantry Food Bank Inc.
Location: 1685 Jaggie Fox Way, Lexington, KY 40511
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 859-259-2308
Email: info@godspantry.org
Fayette County residents must be referred to God’s Pantry Food Bank to visit one of its food pantries, according to its site. They must also complete a qualification intake form, according to Anna Russell, the employee and community engagement director.
An intake form may be completed either through one of the nonprofit’s referring agencies or by calling God’s Pantry Food Bank directly. The nonprofit takes phone appointments from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. each weekday.
Each household may visit a pantry up to twice per month. Available items include milk, meat and other protein items, fresh produce, canned fruits and vegetables, soup and grains.
“The program goal is to provide groceries that encourage and support a healthy diet,” Russell said.
If you need assistance with a referral for emergency food assistance in Fayette County, contact the nonprofit organization’s intake staff at 859-259-2308. Staff is available from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
God’s Pantry Food Bank provides assistance with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The enrollment application for SNAP can be found online.
Additionally, the nonprofit provides Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) enrollment assistance.
CSFP works to improve the health of individuals at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious U.S. Department of Agriculture foods. Each month, CSFP members receive a box of staples to help fill their pantries. The application for this program can also be found online.
If you’re looking to donate to the pantry, individuals living in Fayette County can bring food to the nonprofit’s Lexington warehouse during normal hours of operation. They can also place food in one of God’s Pantry’s blue barrels at any Kroger location.
God’s Pantry Food Bank at Lexington Public Library
Location: 1733 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, KY 40505
Hours: Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m.
Phone: Reach out to God’s Pantry at 859-259-2308 Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Email: info@godspantry.org
God’s Pantry Food Bank opened a food pantry inside Lexington Public Library’s Northside Branch June 7.
Individuals have to register with God’s Pantry Food Bank in order to receive food, but there are people onsite to help with that process, according to Anne Donworth, the director of development, marketing and communications at Lexington Public Library.
Fresh produce, dairy, canned goods, box foods and more are available at the library’s pantry. To find the pantry, walk into the library and make a left.
“It’s essentially a model where people can shop and pick out what items they actually want or need, as opposed to being given a box of whatever happens to be available,” Donworth previously told the Herald-Leader.
Jessamine County Food Pantry
Location: 104 S 2nd St., Nicholasville, KY 40356
Hours: Monday 10:30 a.m. to noon; Tuesday noon to 4 p.m.; Thursday 2 to 6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Phone: 859-312-4003
Email: paul@jcfoodpantry.org
In order to get food for the current month, Jessamine County Food Pantry requires individuals, who have to be Jessamine County residents, to bring a government-issued photo ID and a lease or a utility bill with their name and current address on it. Utility bills include a water, electric, gas, trash or lease bill or receipt.
Paul Hu, the executive director of Jessamine County Food Pantry, said the photo ID doesn’t have to be any particular type and the organization has taken passports from other countries as as proof of identification.
People are able to receive a monthly box once per calendar month.
The box contains around 30 pounds of canned and boxed goods like vegetables, fruits, proteins, pasta sauce, various kinds of pastas, soups, macaroni and cheese and ramen.
Depending on the size of the family and how much is available, families are given cuts of meat. There are optional items as well such as juice, nuts, flour and more.
However, anyone is able to get food on Monday mornings without paperwork, as the pantry has produce and baked goods that do not count against their monthly box.
The pantry is currently helping more than 100 families a week and is seeking food donations and funds in the form of checks. People are also able to donate online.
The pantry requests regular-sized canned goods, pasta or any kind of dried or good that can be kept on a shelf and used as needed.
According to a June 23 Facebook post, the nonprofit organization’s storeroom is almost empty.
“The number of clients has grown by 50% since January. Our food costs are triple what they were just a year ago,” according to the nonprofit’s post.
“It’s a difficult time I think for all the pantries, but, you know, we’re here because it’s a difficult time for people,” Hu said.
Hu said the organization’s storeroom is emptier now than it’s been in the 10 years he’s been with the pantry. This is partially due to what’s available in stores, in addition to monetary constraints.
“Pre-COVID, I was spending about $2,000 a month on food. Now I’m spending about $1,800 a week on food because the prices have gone up and our numbers (of households served) have gone up,” Hu said. “I hit the stores yesterday and spent a little over $500 just on basic canned goods.”
Family Food Center at Bethel Harvest Church
Location: 3260 Lexington Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356
Hours: Thursdays 5 to 6 p.m.
Phone: 859-881-3939
Email: katheen@bhcfamily.com
In order to receive food, individuals should bring a valid and current photo I.D. showing proof of either Jessamine or Fayette County residency. A driver’s license or current bill indicating your address is an acceptable form of I.D.
There is not a limit on the number of times individuals can pick up food for the month, but individuals should only pick up once per distribution.
The food center distributes one box of food per household. People are not allowed to pick up food for others.
“Family Food Center envisions a community where all have access to good, nutritious food and everyone understands the short and long-term effects of hunger and poor nutrition,” according to a statement on their website.
Amen House Food Pantry
Location: 319 E. Main St., Georgetown, KY 40324
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Phone: 502-863-5305
Email: amenhouse@bellsouth.net
If you’re looking to get food from Amen House, make sure to bring a photo ID and one for every member of your household. Individuals should also bring a proof a residency for Scott County, in addition to a calculation of their monthly household income.
Through the organization’s sack lunch program, people are able to receive food from the pantry every day, according to Michele Carlisle, the executive director.. There is also a once-monthly food allocation.
The allocation contains canned goods, whole grains and dry goods. The organization has the ability to add milk, dairy products like cheese, meat and other protein, fresh fruits and vegetables and bread.
Additionally, individuals are able to pick up a supplemental food order on the third week of the month and again during the fourth week, if needed.
For seniors, there is a commodities program that occurs the third Tuesday of every month.
Even if you don’t qualify for full, federal government food assistance, the nonprofit has a non-commodity food order, which is a full grocery cart full of food that individuals can apply for.
Individuals will have to discuss their income, but it’s possible they will have the opportunity to collect a non-commodity food order for a certain number of months.
“Our mission is here is ending hunger in Scott County, and we don’t feel like we can do that unless we’re meeting every single need,” Carlisle said. “We know a lot of hard working families struggle with food insecurity, and we want to be here for those families as well.”
Amen House accepts food donations in addition to monetary donations on its website.
Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and noon, with extended hours Tuesdays until 3 p.m.
The Salvation Army Central Kentucky Area
Location: 722-736 W. Main St., Lexington, KY 40508
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Phone: 859-252-7706
The Salvation Army in Central Kentucky has a food pantry that provides for individuals and families in need.
Fayette County residents can apply for emergency assistance by coming to The Salvation Army and filling out a two-page application. The process requires an interview to determine eligibility, as well as photo identification, a rent receipt, a Social Security card, a verification of income and proof of residence.
Acceptable proof of residence includes a lease or utility bill in your name.
Additionally, individuals are asked to bring proof of income for everyone in the household. The Salvation Army will need to know if you are on benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or SNAP, in addition to whether you have child support, a pension, unemployment or a homeless verification.
For households with children, an individual is asked to bring proof of custody and guardianship for each child in the form of a birth certificate, immunization records or an award letter for SNAP benefits.
If you are unhoused and don’t have all the necessary information, there are snacks and treats available. The Salvation Army cannot pass out canned goods or dry foods available to those without a home.
If it is your first time visiting the pantry and you forget the needed information, the Salvation Army will provide a bag of groceries for you.
If you are unhoused, there are also hygiene kits containing shampoo, soap, deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste available.
Lida Carter, the community assistant liaison, said people can visit the Salvation Army as much as they need.
“If you’re starving, if you do not have money to buy food, please come and see us at the Salvation Army,” Carter said. “I will give them a bag of food. I don’t let anyone go hungry. I don’t care if they’ve been here three or four times. If they’re in need, I’ll pass it out to them.”
The nonprofit also supplies food assistance for people living in Scott and Jessamine counties.
Community Service Center of Wilmore-High Bridge
Location: Friday food distribution at 209 East Main St.; monthly food distribution at 100 N Lexington Ave., Wilmore, KY 40390
Hours: Friday 10:15 to 11 a.m. at the thrift shop side window; last Saturday of the month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Wilmore Presbyterian Church
Phone: 859-858-2819
Email: csc40390@gmail.com
Only people living within the 40390 zip code are eligible to receive food from this pantry.
In order to get food, individuals should bring a bill with their Wilmore address and proof of source of income.
There is a monthly food distribution the last Saturday of every month except for November and December, when it is the Saturday before the holiday.
The drive-thru food distribution is located at the back of the Wilmore Presbyterian Church.
The monthly distribution is mostly nonperishable items such as canned goods, cereal, soup, spaghetti and more. Depending on availability, there may be meat and other perishables. The Wilmore Presbyterian Church also distributes hygiene and cleaning items.
The weekly distribution is fresh produce, like vegetables and fruits.
Additionally, there is a weekly food distribution Fridays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Community Service Center Thrift Shop.
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