Grimes, Partners Launch ‘Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl’ Hunger-Relief Competition

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Thursday, Hunger Action Day, announced the launch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl, a statewide competition that challenges Kentucky’s local and county government offices to donate food and funds to aid Kentucky families suffering from hunger.

The Office of the Secretary of State, Kentucky Association of Food Banks (KAFB), the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts (KDADD), and the Kentucky Association of Food Banks partnered to create the competition.

“One in four Kentucky children don’t always know where their next meal will come from,” said Grimes. “We have to do better, we must do better. That’s why we are partnering with the Commonwealth’s Area Development Districts and the Kentucky Association of Food Banks to help us feed Kentucky’s kids and their families as we approach the winter and this holiday season.”

The inaugural campaign will run from October 16 through October 27.

“Our goal is to raise $50,000 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the state legislation that created the Area Development Districts,” said Mayfield Mayor Teresa Rochetti-Cantrell, who is co-chair of the KCADD. “The campaign, with the support of local and county government offices across our Commonwealth, will help provide families with the food they need to thrive.”

Every $1 donated through the completion will return $8 or more in food to the community.

Grimes will make visits to each of the area development districts over the next few weeks to discuss the vital need for hunger relief in Kentucky. She has been a champion for solving Kentucky’s hunger issues since she took office in 2012 and before she was elected to public office. She is a longtime volunteer at the Salvation Army, serving the Thanksgiving meal at her local service center every year. She also has served on the board of God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington.

Proceeds and goods generated from the competition will directly aid the members of the KAFB – an organization that distributes over 58 million meals to 1 in 7 Kentuckians annually in partnership with a network of 800 local charitable feeding organizations. Its members serve all 120 counties in Kentucky.

Tamara Sandberg, executive director of KAFB, said, “We all have a role to play in ending hunger in Kentucky and we’re grateful that our elected officials are rising to the challenge.”

The Area Development District that raises the most food and funds will win the Commonwealth of Kentucky Cup.

More information on the Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl is at kafb.org/commonwealthbowl/. #HelpFeedKY