After announcing his plan to address the $456.1 million state budget gap, Gov. Steve Beshear hit the road Thursday to start selling his proposal to the public through a series of town hall meetings and press conferences.

Those attending any of the town hall meetings are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to area food banks.

He begins his tour with an evening forum in Henderson. Beshear's future stops include:

■ 6 p.m. Monday: Ashland town hall at Ashland Community and Technical College, J.B. Sowards Theatre, 1400 College Drive.

■ 6 p.m. Wednesday: Hazard town hall at the Hal Rogers Center, 101 Bulldog Road.

■ 7 p.m. Dec. 18: Dry Ridge town hall at Grant County High School auditorium, 715 Warsaw Road.