CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

Kentucky Power is calling on businesses, schools, churches, organizations and individuals across Eastern Kentucky to help fight hunger by stocking local food pantries during its seventh annual Power Up the Pantry Food Drive & Fundraiser.

The drive will take place Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Walmart locations in Ashland, Cannonsburg, Hazard and Pikeville. Organizers will accept canned goods, other nonperishable food and monetary donations. Donors should check expiration dates before contributing food.

Collection sites will be Walmart at 351 Riverhill Drive in Ashland; Walmart at 12504 U.S. 60 in Cannonsburg; Walmart at 120 Daniel Boone Plaza in Hazard; and Walmart at 254 Cassidy Boulevard in Pikeville.

Organizers are also encouraging workplaces, schools and churches to organize their own collections leading up to the event. Groups can turn the effort into a friendly competition to see who can collect the most donations. At the same time, employers can make charitable contributions.

Monetary donations will benefit God’s Pantry Food Bank and Facing Hunger Food Bank. Make checks payable to either organization. The event flyer also includes a QR code for online donations.

Those who want to donate food before Sept. 9 may drop off canned goods and nonperishable items at participating Community Trust Bank locations in Ashland, Russell, Pikeville and Hazard. Locations include 1544 Winchester Ave. and 7100 U.S. 60 in Ashland; 970 Diederich Blvd. in Russell; 346 N. Mayo Trail and 254 Cassidy Blvd. in Pikeville; and 100 Citizen Lane, Site B, and 101 Village Lane in Hazard.

The campaign helps community pantries serve neighbors experiencing food insecurity throughout eastern Kentucky.

Power Up the Pantry is presented by Kentucky Power, King’s Daughters, Community Trust Bank and WYMT.

For more information, contact Ryan Lake at [email protected] or 606-646-9148.