September is Hunger Action Month. Officials report Kentucky is among the top ten hungriest states in the nation with a 14.5% rate of food insecurity.
Governor Andy Beshear said Team Kentucky supports food banks and pantries across the state and they have started programs to feed children in the Commonwealth.
“At least 710,000 Kentuckians are facing hunger. That’s one in six people across our state, and it includes one in five children. The Commonwealth continues to have the nation’s highest rate of hunger among older adults. These aren’t just statistics, they’re our neighbors, our family, and our friends,” said Beshear.
First Lady Britainy Beshear helps host an annual one-day donation drive called Shop and Share in February. The proceeds from the drive go to the Commonwealth’s 15 state-designated domestic violence shelter programs.
Seven percent of older Kentuckians experience food insecurity. This is the highest rate of hunger among older adults in the nation.
Beshear said there are many ways the state combats hunger, especially among older adults.
“We’ve worked to eliminate wait lists for Meals for Seniors, and we’ve delivered over 17-million meals. It’s how we’ve supported food banks and pantries across the Commonwealth. But we know there’s still work to do. We’ll keep fighting to end hunger here in the Commonwealth,” said Beshear.
Officials said almost 100,000 Kentuckians over the age of 60 receive SNAP benefits every month.
Currently, people over 60 are exempt from the requirement to work at least 80 hours a month to receive SNAP benefits. A bill passed in July increases the upper age exception to 65 and older. Officials said, due to this revision and others like it, up to 50,000 Kentuckians could lose SNAP benefits entirely.
Beshear said any individual who wants to contribute to the cause can do so at their local food pantry or at feedingky.org.