Kentucky Ag Connection - 'Serving Up Solutions' Raises $39,000 for Hunger Groups

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'Serving Up Solutions' Raises $39,000 for Hunger Groups
Kentucky Ag Connection - 03/15/2018

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced that a January benefit dinner featuring a bipartisan cross-section of Kentucky leaders raised $39,000 for two anti-hunger organizations.

An estimated 150 people attended the first "Serving Up Solutions" dinner at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History to benefit Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry (KHFH) and the Kentucky Association of Food Banks (KAFB). Proceeds from ticket sales and donations raised $19,000. U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft and Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Joe Craft more than matched that total with a donation of $20,000.

"I am awed by the overwhelming response to this event," Quarles said. "The enthusiasm exhibited by our guests shows the depth of their commitment to ending hunger in Kentucky, which is the goal of our Hunger Initiative. I am deeply grateful to the Craft family for their generosity and to Governor and First Lady Bevin for taking time from their busy schedules to participate, and to our legislative co-chairs for the hard work of recruiting fellow elected officials to help serve dinner."

Ambassador Craft, Mr. Craft, state Representative Phillip Pratt, state Senator Robin Webb, and Commissioner Quarles hosted the dinner. Governor Matt Bevin and First Lady Glenna Bevin appeared, and the Governor delivered remarks praising the event's purpose.

The crowd included some 25 elected and appointed state officials and leaders in business, education, and the nonprofit community. WellCare Health Plans was the presenting sponsor, and Kroger served as a sponsor. "As the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the state, WellCare understands that food access directly affects the health of Kentuckians," said Bill Jones, WellCare's Kentucky president. "Regular, nutritious meals are necessary for growing children and anyone struggling with a chronic condition, such as diabetes. But hunger is also an obstacle to getting preventive health care that can catch health issues early. People aren't going to take the time to schedule a flu shot or a mammogram when they aren't sure where their next meal is coming from. We are proud to partner with Governor Bevin and Commissioner Quarles to support the fight against hunger in Kentucky. This is one of the ways we are working to improve the overall health of Kentuckians."

"We are delighted at the success of the first 'Serving Up Solutions' dinner," said Ivan Schell, KHFH executive director. "These funds will greatly enhance our efforts to process and distribute donated venison to Kentuckians in need. The publicity and goodwill from the dinner also will help us get the word out to hunters that KHFH provides them an easy way to give back to their communities. Thanks to Commissioner Quarles and the other hosts and sponsors for making this event possible."

KAFB Executive Director Tamara Sandberg estimated that the KAFB's share of the proceeds from the dinner would enable it to buy enough fresh produce through the Farms to Food Banks Program for 144,000 meals. "KAFB is thrilled and energized by 'Serving Up Solutions'," Sandberg said. "This is another example of measurable impact in the fight against hunger in Kentucky. Commissioner Quarles is to be commended for his leadership in launching the Hunger Initiative and taking on this challenging issue."

The Hunger Initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort in Kentucky that Commissioner Quarles launched in the spring of 2016 to bring together farmers, charitable organizations, faith groups, community leaders, and government entities to look for ways to reduce hunger in Kentucky.

Map the Meal Gap 2017, an annual study by Feeding America, revealed that one in every six Kentuckians -- including one in five children -- was food insecure in 2015, meaning that consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.

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