Event is Wednesday, March 27, at Dawson Springs School

FRANKFORT, KY. (March 25, 2024) - Kentucky Dream Center and Virginia-based disaster relief group Mercy Chefs are partnering with The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), Kentucky Hemp Association, Dawson Springs Family Resource Youth Service Center, Dawson Springs Rotary Club, Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders, and Praying Pelicans Missions to provide food boxes to Western Kentucky families who were affected by disastrous events in 2021.

“Recovering from a natural disaster can take years,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “With families and businesses still cleaning up from the December 2021 tornadoes, this simple gesture of a box of groceries may bring the hope and awareness families need to continue their recovery. It is our pleasure to partner with these organizations to make this event happen.”

The event, made possible by the Mercy Chefs’ "Send Hope Home" initiative, will benefit those affected by the December 2021 tornadoes with a simple goal to “send hope home” by distributing grocery boxes. Mercy Chefs is a global non-profit disaster response group that specializes in feeding people affected by disaster.

KDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) grant program is assisting with the giveaway by supplying 500 boxes of locally procured foods for the March 27 distribution. Regional food distributor What Chefs Want is a partner on LFPA and is assembling boxes that will include chicken, strawberries, tomatoes, eggs, and salad mixes. LFPA is a cooperative agreement funded by the US Department of Agriculture. It allows states to procure and distribute local and regional foods to meet the nutritional needs of the population while helping to build and expand economic opportunities for local and underserved producers.

“We’re grateful for our partners and teams of volunteers that help provide hope in times of need,” said Kentucky Dream Center Executive Director Christina Garrott. “We are blessed to be given this opportunity to lift up our neighbors and let disaster survivors know they have our support and are not forgotten.”

This is the second grocery give-away coordinated through the Kentucky Dream Center for the community affected by the December 2021 tornadoes. The last grocery box giveaway was in December.

The event is Wednesday, March 27, from 5-7 p.m. at Dawson Springs School, 317 Eli St. in Dawson Springs, KY. The grocery boxes, complete with proteins, fresh produce, pantry staples, and simple recipes will be distributed drive-thru style. Everyone within the community is encouraged to attend.