LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — With record unemployment across the country, the number of people needing assistance with food has increased over the last few months.
God's Pantry Food Bank, which serves central and eastern Kentucky, is seeing that increase. The organization is thankful to have generous donations during this time and they hope to keep meeting the demand.
"In the middle of March, we saw a 33% increase in demand," God's Pantry CEO Michael Halligan said.
Halligan added the increase is now averaging around 20% more than usual. COVID-19 changed how they operate. While focusing on health and safety, they still must get food to people who need it.
"It's been daunting at times, but we've been able to keep pace with the needs that are out there," Halligan said.
Halligan also noted that many people are stepping up.
"The response has been phenomenal," Halligan said. "Individiauls, corporations, foundations, philanthropists, all different resources provided to the food bank to allow us to do the work."
LEX 18 has partnered with God's Pantry during this time for the Hope Over Hunger campaign. In April, LEX 18 and the Scripps Howard Foundation made a $10,000 donation to the food bank. Now, a $12,000 donation is being made from LEX 18 and the Scripps Family Impact Fund through the Scripps Howard Foundation.
"Scripps Howard Foundation is just one example of many foundations across central and eastern Kentucky that reached out to us and said 'How can we help?' Halligan said.
