330 Louisville Volunteers Fight Food Insecurity Together

When food insecurity hits record highs in Louisville, the community is answering with record compassion.

Dare to Care Food Bank brought together 330 volunteers from 28 companies across Kentuckiana for its annual Food Fight Day of Service. The volunteers donated nearly 1,000 hours to help local food pantries and organizations put meals on tables for families waking up unsure where their next meal will come from.

The timing couldn't be more critical. Vincent James, president and CEO of Dare to Care Food Bank, says his organization faces a perfect storm of increased demand and decreased federal support. But local businesses are stepping into the gap.

Employees from Flavorman spent their day preparing meals at the Ronald McDonald House of Louisville, where families stay while seeking healthcare for their children. For Kristen Wemer, the company's chief technical officer, it's become a highlight of her year.

"It's always one of my favorite days of the year," Wemer said. Flavorman now dedicates the last two months of every year to fundraising for Dare to Care, making the volunteer day even more meaningful.

Lab manager Kadeja Davis said the hands-on experience opened her eyes to the scale of need in her own community. "It's created a lot of awareness to realize how many families are in need or just going through a difficult time," she said. "Even if we never meet those families, but just that they need it and we're able to help just in a small way."

The Ripple Effect

The partnership between Dare to Care and the Ronald McDonald House shows how volunteer efforts multiply across the community. Hal Hedley, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Louisville, says weekly food donations from Dare to Care help their chef prepare healthy meals for families already facing the stress of a sick child.

Mayor Craig Greenberg joined volunteers for the day, emphasizing the community commitment. "We cannot let anyone in our community go hungry," he said.

The collaboration sends a powerful message about what's possible when businesses prioritize service. These aren't one-time volunteers but partners building lasting solutions to food insecurity in their own backyard.

Dare to Care reminds the community that hunger doesn't end when September's Hunger Action Month does. The organization welcomes donations, volunteers, and support for local food pantries year-round because the families they serve need help every single day.