ASHLAND, Ky., Kentucky Power and WYMT are joining forces once again to bring communities together to combat hunger through the annual food drive and fundraiser, Power Up the Pantry. The event is set for Thursday, Sept. 26, at locations in Ashland, Hazard and Pikeville.
Cadettes from the Girl Scouts of Kentucky delivered food collected by Troop 90 and Holy Family Catholic School to Kentucky Power’s donation location in Ashland last year.
The purpose of this fifth annual event is to help fight food insecurity in the region through food and monetary donations that directly benefit God’s Pantry Food Bank, which supplies food pantries and meal programs in Hazard, Pikeville and Prestonsburg, and Facing Hunger Food Bank, which serves food pantries in Boyd, Greenup, Lawrence and Martin counties.
“On average, in the Kentucky counties we serve, there is a 20 percent overall food insecurity rate, and the child food insecurity rate is 25 percent,” reported Facing Hunger Community Relations Officer, Liz Watson. “Power Up the Pantry food drive tremendously helps our Kentucky neighbors in need by helping us ensure we have what we need to serve our neighbors. We, at Facing Hunger Foodbank, are deeply thankful for this impactful partnership.”
Since the first Power Up the Pantry in 2019, Kentucky Power and Hazard-based news station, WYMT, have helped collect more than 26,000 pounds of food and more than $143,000 in donations. Organizers are hoping to see communities come together once again to make this another successful event.
“We’re proud to be a part of communities that support each other,” said Amy Elliott, vice president of external affairs and customer service for Kentucky Power. “Addressing hunger is a commitment we’ve made to support the basic needs of the communities we serve. We’re hopeful everyone will come out to support these food banks because, together, we know we can make a significant difference.”
How to Participate
On Thursday, Sept. 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., bring non-expired, non-perishable foods (especially the “pop-top” kind that don’t require a tool to open) to the red tent that will be set up at one of these locations:
• Ashland – Broadway Square, 300 16th Street (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Food Trucks & Live Music)
• Ashland – Cannonsburg Walmart, 12504 US-60
• Hazard – Walmart, 120 Daniel Boone Plaza
• Pikeville – Walmart, 254 Cassidy Boulevard
For more information, visit www.KentuckyPower.com/Pantry.