The Help Office of Owensboro has received a grant from Atmos Energy, with the funds dedicated to assisting the nonprofit’s food bank missing of providing meals to those in need.
“I was overwhelmed when I was told about the Atmos grant for food,” said Angela Settle, Help Office Executive Director. “This generous donation could not have come at a better time. Throughout the year we receive food donations from individuals, organizations, churches, and schools. However, we are constantly low on food because food insufficiency is a critical need in our community.”
Settle said that shortly after she became executive director in 2019, one of the best decisions she made was to become a member of Tri-State Food Bank in Evansville.
“This grant money will allow us to purchase healthy food items from Tri-State Food Bank,” Settle said. “With this partnership, we are able to purchase meat and nonperishable food items for 16 cents per pound, and many items are free. Therefore, monetary donations from individuals will allow us to purchase more food than if they purchased the food at a local grocery store.”
The Help Office has been providing food assistance to the less fortunate in Daviess County for more than 50 years, according to the organization’s website.
“Our food assistance provides clients with foods that improve and maintain their health,” the website says. “We strive to provide seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, canned fruits and vegetables, frozen meats such as chicken, tuna, peanut butter, and more. Personal care items such as toilet tissue, soap, and toiletries are included, as assistance programs like SNAP, also known as food stamps, don’t cover such daily essentials.”
Settle added, “To be eligible for food assistance at the Help Office you must live in Daviess County. We do ask that you provide a driver’s license/ID or other proof of residence. Having said that, we are here to serve those in need and we make lots of exceptions to ensure that no one goes hungry despite not providing proof of residence — especially the unhoused population that live in our community.”
Settle said food orders are not pre-made and are filled according to the household size.
“We provide 5 days worth of food, and clients can receive our assistance every 4 weeks. We also have a volunteer that provides bags of ready-to-eat meals for the unsheltered homeless that we assist on a daily basis,” she said.
Settle said the timing for receiving the Atmos grant was perfect because The Help Office is waiting for Owensboro Health Regional Hospital’s second food drive of the year, which will be held soon.
“Without the hospital’s support it would be very difficult to have the variety and quantity of non-perishable food to meet the needs of our community,” she said.
To receive food or for more information, call The Help Office at 270-685-4971 or visit their location at 1316 West Fourth Street.
For individuals wanting to make a monetary donation to benefit the food bank, checks can be mailed to 1316 West 4th Street, Owensboro, KY 42301.
In total, Atmos donated $2 million to food banks across the eight states it serves during a campaign to raise awareness about food insecurity and inspire action to combat hunger.
“Food banks play a critical role in caring for vulnerable populations that face food supply inadequacy and nutritional instability, while also offering essential services such as nutrition education, advocacy, and assistance programs that address the root causes of hunger,” a release from Atmos said. “Providing these nonprofit organizations with resources to collect, store, and distribute food to those in need is an essential part of Atmos Energy’s Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities initiative.”
The following food banks are among the organizations that received grants:
- Feeding America
- Owensboro Help Office
- Ohio County Food Bank
- Madisonville Salvation Army
- Hopkinsville Salvation Army
- Crittenden County Food Bank
- Dawson Springs Food Bank
- St Charles Food Bank
- Paducah Salavtion Army
- Paducah Coop Ministry
- Paducah Community Kitchen
- Paducah Martha’s Vineyard
- Mayfield Food Pantry
- Bowling Green Salvation Army
- Glasgow Community Relief Fund
- Campbellsville Green River Ministries
- Danville Salvations Army
- Danville Backpack Kids
- Shelbyville Serenity Center
- Atmos Help Office
“It takes significant resources to fight hunger and address nutritional instability, so the goal of these dollars is to aid food banks who coordinate with local charities, schools, churches, and shelters to support individuals and families struggling to afford basic necessities,” said Mark Martin, Atmos Energy vice president of public affairs. “As Atmos Energy continues Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities, we are extremely proud to partner with local food banks and further their mission in the areas we serve.”
