Need groceries? Find help at these Central & Eastern KY food banks, pantries
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Federal shutdown threatens SNAP benefits for 600,000 Kentuckians starting Nov 1.
- Local pantries report surges in demand and rising food prices strain supplies.
- Statewide network lists food banks and pickup sites across Kentucky for relief.
Editor’s note, 2:51 p.m. Oct. 31: In a bench ruling out of Rhode Island Friday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to pay federal nutrition benefits to millions of Americans amid the government shutdown using emergency funds. It wasn’t immediately clear if and when SNAP benefits will proceed.
The federal government shutdown has now entered its fourth week, and President Donald Trump’s administration announced Monday benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, are officially set to run out Saturday, Nov. 1.
If no agreement is reached to reopen the government before Saturday, that could leave the nearly 600,000 Kentuckians who depend on the SNAP program scrambling for meal assistance.
Local food pantries are feeling strained by a surge in demand amid rising food prices and federal workers left without their paychecks. If you are in need of meal assistance, help is available. Here’s a directory of organizations offering food aid across Kentucky.
For those looking to donate, several larger organizations that serve to end hunger in Kentucky told the Herald-Leader they are in need of nonperishable items, canned meats, peanut butter, bread and more ahead of the expiration of SNAP benefits.
Did we miss any? Send us a news tip via email at ask@herald-leader.com.
Lexington food banks and pantries
God’s Pantry Food Bank
Serving 50 counties throughout Central and Eastern Kentucky, God’s Pantry Food Bank is one of the largest in the state. It partners with more than 500 local pantries and meal assistance programs, which you can find through its website. Contact God’s Pantry Food Bank by calling 859-255-6592 or email to info@godspantry.org.
Its main headquarters can be found at 2201 Innovation Drive in Lexington.
Lexington Rescue Mission
Lexington Rescue Mission serves breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Lunch is also served those days between noon and 1 p.m.
According to the organization’s website, guests are welcome to take produce, bread and other available food. Its resource coordinator is available during walk-in hours, which are from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Lexington Rescue Mission is located at 535 West Second St. in Lexington. Contact the organization by phone at 859-381-9600 or via email at info@lexingtonrescue.org.
Eastern Kentucky food banks
Christian Appalachian Project
The Christian Appalachian Project, or CAP, is an anti-poverty organization. It has three food pantries in Eastern Kentucky, including in McCreary, Rockcastle and Jackson counties.
Contact the following for assistance:
- Grateful Bread Food Pantry at 3065 Richmond St. in Mt. Vernon; 606-256-3035
- Jackson County Food Pantry at 1257 McCammon Ridge Road in McKee; 606-287-8336
- Eagle Food Pantry at 100 Eagle School Road in Parkers Lake; 606-376-3272
Sterling Community Food Coalition
Based in Montgomery County, this organization’s food pantry is open from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. The Sterling Community Food Coalition’s food pantry is located at 515 Maysville Road in Mt. Sterling.
Contact the organization by phone at 888-765-7232 or send an email to info@sterlingcommunityfoodcoalition.org. The Sterling Community Food Coalition shares regular updates on Facebook.
God’s Outreach Food Bank
God’s Outreach offers food assistance in Madison, Estill and Jackson counties. Location and pick up information for the following locations is listed on the organization’s website:
- Madison County: 1512 East Main St. in Richmond. Pick-up times: 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday.
- Estill County: 210 Third St. (Ravenna Church of God) in Ravenna. Pick-up times: 10 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday.
- Jackson County: 338 Main St. (Jackson County Public Library) in McKee. Pick-up times: 11 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month.
Other Kentucky Food Banks
The following food banks are members of Feeding Kentucky’s network:
- Dare to Care Food Bank: Dare to Care serves 13 counties between Indiana and Kentucky, including Jefferson, Shelby, Oldham, Spencer, Carroll, Trimble and Henry counties in Kentucky.
- Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland: Based in Elizabethtown, the food bank partners with 242 nonprofits in 42 counties. It distributes more than 11 million pounds of food each year.
- Freestore Foodbank: This Cincinnati-based food bank distributes 23 million meals annually across 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Its service area includes nine counties in Northern Kentucky.
- Facing Hunger Food Bank: Facing Hunger is based in Huntington, W.Va., but it also serves three Eastern Kentucky counties
- Tri-State Food Bank: Tri-State Food Bank is based in Evansville, Ind., and serves seven Kentucky counties.
- Purchase Area Development District Food Bank: PADD’s service area includes Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall and McCracken counties in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase region.
Do you have a question about public services and assistance in Kentucky for the Herald-Leader? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 4:45 AM.