The long-time director of God’s Pantry Food Bank says a favorable accountability rating can help further efforts to put food on the table. For the sixth consecutive year, the central Kentucky food organization earned four stars by the ‘Charity Navigator’ group. God’s Pantry officials say it places the food bank in the top three percent of charities nationwide. Pantry C-E-O Marian Guinn says such a ranking can foster donor support.
“If it helps people to feel more confident in making financial contributions to organizations like God’s Pantry Food Bank and other charities that have this designation, then it just strengthens our ability to meet the needs in our communities.” --Marian Guinn
The food donation business has undergone significant change over the past decade. Guinn says perishable foods probably accounted for ten percent of distribution ten years ago. Over the past year, the long-time director of the central Kentucky food bank says about half of the food sent out included fresh fruits and vegetables. But, Guinn notes the overall challenge to feed the hungry remains of utmost concern.
“We continue to see more and more new people presenting themselves in lines at pantries across our service area and we see donated food at some level continuing to decline,” added Guinn.
Guinn says great gains have been made by working with the grocery industry. She says the God’s Pantry fleet of refrigerated trucks makes almost daily stops at many Kentucky grocery stores to pick up produce. Still, Guinn says the need for individual donations of canned items remains a priority.