New food pantry supports Knox County communities fighting hunger
Mar. 22—WALKER, Ky. — Lend-A-Hand Center and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky have teamed up to create a new food and basic needs pantry in Walker, Kentucky. The facility will support families struggling to afford healthy, nutritious meals or to access diapers, household items, or cleaning supplies. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky has funded the project with $12,000.
According to the latest data from Feeding America, the food insecurity rate in Knox County, Kentucky is 20.5%, with over 6,000 people not having access to a reliable source of food. This food insecurity rate is 7 and 8 percentage points higher than the Kentucky and national averages, respectively.
Knox County has a poverty rate of 34% and a child poverty rate of 47.5% and Stinking Creek, where the pantry is located, is one of its poorest areas. The county is categorized as "distressed" by the Appalachian Regional Commission as low educational attainment, poor health indicators, and lack of economic opportunity present struggles for individuals and families.
Good health encompasses more than visiting a doctor's office. According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, nearly 80% of what influences a person's health relates to nonmedical issues, such as access to food, transportation, and the financial means to pay for basic daily needs. For so many individuals and families, the current economic situation continues to affect their capacity to control costs, which impacts healthy behaviors and exacerbates disparities.
This is the first food and basic needs pantry in Stinking Creek. For more information and hours of operation, please visit www.lendahandcenter.org.
