LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The response to coronavirus in Kentucky has resulted in an major increase in need for food assistance at God's Pantry Food Bank.
According to God's Pantry CEO MIchael Halligan, the food pantry has seen a 50 percent increase in food assistance need in Fayette County over the past eight days. Across the 50 counties the organization serves, he reported a 35 percent increase in need in the past week.
"Our hunger relief response to COVID-19 is unprecedented," Halligan said.
Halligan went on to say that most people are looking for basic staple foods such as pasta, fresh produce and peanut butter.
"A lot of folks are finding themselves food insecure for the first time," he said. "Individuals that have been laid off due to the virus...who have been living paycheck to paycheck and find themselves in very uncertain times."
Halligan noted that the food pantry has not run out of food but has had to quickly restock.
"We've got ten truckloads of product on order. We will likely have to purchase a lot more but right now we are able to fill all the orders and to provide the food stuff that folks need to have a healthy diet," he said.
LEX 18 has partnered with God's Pantry for the "Hope over Hunger" initiative.
More information and details about how to donate are available at https://www.lex18.com/community/hope
