FRANKLIN, Ky. (WBKO) -For many Americans, having food on the table is not guaranteed. For people like Franklin resident Laurtina Clemson, it’s a struggle to provide for your family in today’s economy.
“It’s me and our husband and our three kids,” she said. “Me and my husband, we work full time and we still need it.”
Clemson has been using Live the Proof Incorporated’s services since March, giving her and her family access to meals. They have the opportunity to fill up a box with a select number of donated food and beverages.
“It’s really nice being able to know that once a week we know we are going to have food,” she said.
The food pantry was founded by Tammie McCory in 2020, initially giving out sandwiches in a church parking lot.
“It’s just to be able to offer hope to other people to let folks know that they’re not in this by themselves and that there’s help out here,” he said.
McCory started the cause out of his empathy for those that are hungry, after spending a large portion of his own life homeless.
“The reason we started with food is from situations where I’ve been in where people wanted to help me, but they made me sit through these long series of things,” he said. “My stomach was growling so I couldn’t hear anything they said. So, I figure if I start feeding folks first sit down and talk to them, we can find out what it is that they really need.”
Cheyanne Straw was also homeless upon moving to Franklin from Arizona and says the food pantry has made a significant difference in her life.
“Back where I’m from we don’t have this,” Straw said. “We don’t have a community like this that will help you with food or anything that you need.”
McCory says it takes about 10-15 volunteers to successfully run the food pantry every week.
One volunteer, Eddie Boyd, wakes up every Tuesday at 4 a.m. to collect donations from grocery stores, dollar stores, and Amish communities.
“When I got married to the wife I’m with now, we had it rough, but we had people who helped us. So, I’m trying to give back to the community,” he said.
Live the Proof is located at 260 W. Kentucky Ave in Franklin. The food pantry is held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Information about how to volunteer or donate can be found here.
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