Beverly’s Hearty Slice (BHS) will host its first-ever Easter Event tonight. There will be more than 200 full meals, 2,100 hams, and bus passes in addition to a big Easter egg hunt — all possible thanks to various local donors and volunteers.
The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kendall-Perkins Park.
Kentucky Legend and Specialty Food Groups donated 2,300 hams, 200 of which will be used for the full meals.
“We collaborate with Specialty Food Groups for our Thanksgiving event, and one of my board members got us on the list for them to donate extra products,” said BHS founder and executive director Travis Owsley. “Because of this partnership, we can do bulk offerings 2 to 3 times a year, especially on Easter and Thanksgiving.”
Veterans Empowered Together (VET) is assisting with the event and providing the corn and green beans for the meals. VET is seeking additional volunteers to assist with the event. If interested, reach out at 270-852-6518 or email [email protected].
City Commissioner Pamela Smith-Wright donated more than 1,000 eggs for the hunt, and the Owensboro Transit System will be on site to pass out bus passes.
Owsley said the Easter event is just another way to continue their mission of helping families in need during tough times.
“We just want to spread positivity; that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “We have to help as many people as possible. It’s a lot of hams to give out, so hopefully, nobody goes hungry or without during the holidays because that’s what we’re here for.”
Owsley added that the Easter event is an extension of their bi-weekly pizza events and another way to pay homage to the nonprofit’s namesake: his mother.
“She was always a giver, and I get that from her,” he said. “If there is any way possible we can help, we have to find the resources to do that. Fortunately, we’re surrounded by a great community because it always takes a village to fulfill this mission.”
BHS welcomes churches or other nonprofits needing some hams for outreach efforts to “come and grab some.”
Owsley created Beverly’s Hearty Slice in September 2020, dishing out pizza and other goodies in underserved areas.
He and a team of volunteers have been serving Little Caesars Pizza every other week at Kendall-Perkins Park for nearly 4 years. Despite some very cold, snowy, and wet evenings, they haven’t missed a date. In 2021, they obtained nonprofit status and added additional locations in Rolling Heights and Mechanicsville.
