The Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo), the Kentucky Association of Food Banks and the Office of the Secretary of State kicked off the second annual Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl Wednesday at the Capitol.
This statewide food drive provided more than 200,000 meals in its inaugural year, according to Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, who wants that number bested this year with the help of elected county officials.
“We’ve set the bar high,” Lundergan Grimes said. “This year the challenge is upon all of our counties. This is an election year, and I know (elected county officials) will step up and answer the call.”
KACo Executive Director Brian Roy said his organization is honored to be part of the process of gathering food and getting it to needy families in Kentucky.
“We’ve challenged every elected county official whether you’re a county clerk, a judge-executive, a sheriff, a jailer,” Roy said. “We challenge all of them to be active in this. We won’t let you down.”
Tamara Sandberg, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Food Banks, is thrilled that KACo has signed on as a partner this year for the food drive.
“Elected county officials are already doing so many wonderful things for their communities,” Sandberg said. “We believe this kind of public-private partnership is truly among the key solutions to ending hunger in Kentucky. It’s coming alongside the churches and soup kitchens, 800 of which are a part of our network. This is really going to help put food on the table.”
The food drive runs Oct. 15-26.
County officials should go to this website to learn more or to sign up for this initiative. Money also can be donated at helpfeedky.com/donate. Every dollar donated amounts to eight pounds of food, according to Sandberg.
“May the best county office win,” Sandberg said.
