Food drive aims to help Kentuckians in need ahead of holiday season
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2026) – After launching the second annual Team Kentucky Food Drive on Nov. 1 for state employees, Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that public donations are being accepted now through Wednesday, Nov. 18. Donations of non-perishable food items will be distributed through Feeding Kentucky, which serves all 120 counties through 900 partner food pantries, as well as the Christian Appalachian Project and the Capital City Activity Center.
“Things are tough right now for many of our neighbors as prices continue to skyrocket from the president’s war of choice and unlawful tariffs, as well as his cruel cuts to SNAP, which more than 80,000 Kentuckians rely on,” said Gov. Beshear. “As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, Team Kentucky is committed to being there for those in need. Through this food drive and the generosity and kindness of our people, we can make sure our neighbors have enough food on the table as we work together to fight hunger.”
Public Donations
The general public can donate non-perishable food items on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST, at 1239 Wilkinson Blvd. in Frankfort. This is a drop-off location where Kentuckians can drive through and leave non-perishable food items for distribution once the food drive closes.
State Employee Donations
Donation boxes have been placed in the lobbies of all major state office buildings in Frankfort and in the L&N Building in Louisville. State employees can drop off donations in these boxes or drive through the public drop-off location at Wilkinson Boulevard.
The first-ever Team Kentucky Food Drive took place in November 2025, with over 12,000 items collected to help prevent those in need from going hungry during the holiday season and following President Trump’s suspension of SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown.
Fighting Hunger in Kentucky
The Beshear administration has made fighting hunger a priority and recognizes the critical role food services and support play in helping Kentuckians. During the pandemic, the Beshear administration doubled the number of meals produced each week for the senior meals program, eliminating an existing waitlist and ensuring no seniors went hungry. Since then, Gov. Beshear has directed more state funding toward the program than any other administration in the commonwealth’s history.
Team Kentucky has also launched multiple programs to help provide food to students over summer break, as well as directing funding to food banks across the state and supporting the opening of new kitchens.
The Governor also fought back against cuts and threats to SNAP, suing the Trump administration when it tried to suspend the program during a federal government shutdown last year. When the court ruled in Kentucky’s favor, the Beshear administration worked through the night to process benefits as quickly as possible. The commonwealth was one of the first states to process full benefits for recipients.
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