River Cities Harvest hit the road with a new and reliable vehicle that will be used to help those struggling with food insecurity. The Ford Transit 150, funded by the shareholder-supported Kentucky Power Foundation, will be used daily to support the nonprofit’s food rescue and redistribution work across the Ashland area, replacing an aging vehicle that had become unsafe due to a gas leak and ongoing maintenance issues.
River Cities Harvest can now safely deliver more food with a reliable new van.
River Cities Harvest relies on dependable transportation to collect surplus food from local businesses and deliver it to food pantries and partner agencies serving individuals and families facing hunger. Without a functioning vehicle, those efforts had been at risk of interruption. The new van has restored reliability, improved efficiency and expanded their reach.
“The peace of mind it has brought to our staff and volunteers is something we truly value,” said Andrea Allen, executive director of River Cities Harvest. “We simply couldn’t continue this important work at the same level without this support, and we’re deeply thankful to Kentucky Power for investing in the health and well-being of our community."
An early morning effort: Volunteers helped River Cities Harvest gather more than 2,000 pounds of food for local pantries.
During the first week the new van was in service, Kentucky Power employees volunteered with the non-profit organization, helping collect and unload food from local donors such as Dollar General, Kroger, Walmart and Bimbo Bakeries.
“We know transportation is critical to the mission of River Cities Harvest,” said Ryan Lake, external affairs manager. “Getting food where it needs to go quickly and safely can make all the difference for families facing food insecurity. We’re proud to be part of a solution that helps strengthen their operations and support our community.”
This contribution reflects Kentucky Power’s ongoing commitment to being a strong community partner and helping address critical needs like hunger across eastern Kentucky.