April 28, 2023 – Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) hosted its annual Volunteer Luncheon Friday afternoon at the Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown, the organization’s first in-person event since 2019 due to the pandemic. This event honored FAKH volunteers who have contributed their time and efforts toward the organization’s mission to alleviate food insecurity throughout its 42-county region over the past year.
Throughout the event, individuals who have volunteered over 50 hours in the past year were recognized, and a total of 51 awards were presented. The 2023 Golden Plate Award went to Vera and Derek Martin, who have served over 2,000 hours at the Volunteer Center since 2013.
FAKH also awarded volunteer groups who have donated their time and efforts throughout the past year, including businesses and organizations such as the Cecilian Bank, the Fort Knox Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, AGC Automotive Americas, Bluegrass Insurance Services and East Hardin Middle School.
In 2022, nearly 3,400 individuals volunteered with FAKH, and volunteers served over 10,700 hours. FAKH reported that it would take five full-time employees to match the number of hours that the volunteers served. Volunteers assist with weekly packing of CSFP Senior Boxes and Backpack Program bags. Over 8,600 Kentucky seniors depend on CSFP boxes packed by FAKH volunteers, and 5,300 Kentucky kids rely on Backpack Program bags.
“This annual luncheon is our way of expressing our profound gratitude for the unwavering commitment of our volunteers as they help advance our mission,” said FAKH Executive Director Jamie Sizemore. “By engaging in volunteerism, our community members have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in combating hunger.”
The Volunteer Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. To learn about volunteer opportunities available through FAKH and how to sign up as an individual or group, visit feedingamericaky.org/volunteer.
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About Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland
At Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, our mission is to serve those in need by acquiring and distributing donated food, grocery items, and government commodities throughout almost 16,000 square miles of Kentucky. We serve 42 of Kentucky’s counties through a network of more than 250 agency partners. Since our establishment in 1982, we have distributed more than 300 million pounds of food and grocery items throughout central, south central, and western Kentucky – which equates to approximately 250 million meals. Our vision is that no one will go to bed hungry in our service area, and FAKH strives every day to make that vision a reality. For more information, visit www.feedingamericaky.org or find us on Facebook.