At St. Vincent Mission in Floyd County, Kentucky, the spirit of community runs deep—and for BeLinda Click, that spirit is personal.
A mom of four and proud “Nana” to three grandchildren (with one more on the way), BeLinda has spent her life caring for others. Now, as the director of the St. Vincent Mission Food Pantry, she spends her days doing what she loves most: helping people.
“I’m a caretaker by nature,” she said. “Helping people brings me happiness. I like to give back.”
Her connection to St. Vincent Mission began after the devastating floods of July 2022. Her family received critical help through the flood relief program—supplies, materials, and encouragement to begin rebuilding. That experience lit a spark.
“I saw how much St. Vincent helped people, including my family,” BeLinda said. “I wanted to give back, so I applied to work here.”
Today, she leads the pantry, which opens its doors every Tuesday to serve families in need. On an average month, St. Vincent Mission helps between 150 and 200 people—but that number has been growing rapidly.
“People are asking what they can do or where they can go for food. We’re seeing the effects of the SNAP pause everywhere,” BeLinda said.
For BeLinda and her own family, the SNAP benefits pause is deeply personal. Even with full-time work, she relies on the program to keep nutritious food on the table for her kids.
“It’s overwhelming,” she admitted. “I’m deciding which bills to pay and which ones to let slide just so I can buy groceries. Sometimes that means getting behind on utilities or letting the internet go. You just have to choose what to let go and what not to.”
Still, her empathy runs deep. “I’m struggling myself, but that helps me relate to the people who come here,” she said. “I know what they’re going through.”
Amid uncertainty, she finds hope in the compassion of others. “The community can come together, donate to local food pantries, and support each other,” she said. “That’s what keeps us going.”
God’s Pantry Food Bank partners with St. Vincent Mission to provide food and senior boxes, support that BeLinda calls “a blessing.”
“They help us a lot,” she said. “That’s how we supply much of the food for our pantry. God’s Pantry Food Bank has truly been a blessing to St. Vincent Mission.”
BeLinda’s story is a reminder that behind every food pantry is a network of caring people—neighbors helping neighbors—making sure no one faces hunger alone.
