In the hills of Eastern Kentucky, Owsley County Food Place is more than a pantry—it’s a lifeline. For many families here, making ends meet means relying on fixed incomes, seasonal work, and federal nutrition programs like SNAP. When the recent federal government shutdown disrupted those benefits, the impact was immediate and profound.
37.8% of Owsley County’s population depends on SNAP—the highest percentage in Kentucky. When those benefits stopped, families had nowhere to turn but their local pantry. And the surge was staggering.
“Our numbers have gone way up. People are really desperate,” said Martha Turner, who leads Owsley County Food Place. “The week before we got those boxes, our supply was going down, and I thought, what were we going to do?”
Martha TurnerOn a typical Tuesday, the pantry serves about 85 households. After the shutdown began, that number jumped to 132 families in a single day. Behind each number is a story—a senior choosing between groceries and medication, a parent skipping meals so their children can eat.
A Call for Help—and an Immediate Response
When Martha reached out, her message was urgent:
“We desperately need more food… Our shelves are getting bare. I fear the day is approaching when we will have to shut our doors.”
Thanks to donor support, God’s Pantry Food Bank acted without delay, deploying 180 disaster boxes to stabilize operations and keep families fed. These boxes were part of a larger emergency response that included:
• Distributing 900 disaster boxes across the service area
• Ordering 2,880 family boxes
• Distributing additional food to create 105,000 meals
• Purchasing fresh food and pantry staples
• Coordinating produce distributions with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
“When I got the call that we were getting those boxes, it was such a relief,” Martha said. “Now we can get through the rest of November and save a little for December.”
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The shutdown didn’t just bring more people—it brought new faces. Families who had never needed help before suddenly found themselves at the pantry door.
“We have the elderly. We have disabled. We have working families with low-paying jobs,” Martha explained. “We’re seeing more of those people now—and the elderly.”
Freddy TurnerFor Freddy Turner, a longtime volunteer and pantry visitor, the crisis underscored the importance of community:
“Food means life. You can quit bad habits, but you can’t quit eating,” Freddy said. “I thank God because I’m on a fixed income, and I can’t buy food like the food that I get here.”
Freddy doesn’t just pick up food for himself—he delivers boxes to neighbors who can’t make the trip.
“There are new people every day. I’ve noticed five or six people who sign up every day because produce is so high, and going to the grocery store is expensive.”
Your Support Made This Possible
Every box, every bag, every meal served is a reflection of your compassion. Your generosity ensured that pantries stayed open, families received food immediately, seniors and children were not forgotten, and communities like Owsley County were not left behind.
Hunger doesn’t pause when a shutdown ends—and neither do we. Your continued partnership helps families recover from weeks of uncertainty and ensures that food is available across all 50 counties we serve.
Thank you for standing with us—and with Owsley County—when it mattered most.
