Scott County’s AMEN House Tackles Food Insecurity with Backpack Program for Local Students

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — In its third year, Scott County’s AMEN House is actively addressing food insecurity among local students through its backpack program. Volunteers are currently packing over 350 bags, providing essential meals for students who may lack food during the weekends. This week, an order of 85 bags is being prepared, with each bag containing six meals.

According to Michele Carlisle, the executive director of AMEN House, the need is critical. “Feeding America reports that half of all food-insecure families live above government assistance,” she noted. “There’s just something different when you know that a child is facing food insecurities. Stepping into that gap ensures they have the nutrition they need to get through the weekend.”

Funding for this initiative comes from a significant $70,000 raised to support the eight Scott County Schools that receive these essential bags. Olivia Gillis, the youth service coordinator at Scott County Middle School, highlighted the growing challenges families face. “I’ve never seen it like this before… Everything is just so expensive,” she said, reflecting on the difficulties many are experiencing.

Since rising prices have caused financial strain, the demand for the backpack program is more pronounced. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a rise in prices since 2020, although a downturn was noted as of September 2024. Gillis stressed the importance of support for families, recalling a touching moment with a student eager for a favored meal. “The kid walks up to me and he’s like, ‘is there spaghetti in those bags?’ and I was like, ‘it’s your lucky day, there is spaghetti in this bag,’” she recounted, noting the joy this simple offering brought to the child.

Gillis expressed how these meals can significantly impact students, enhancing their confidence and overall well-being. “I really get to see these kids thrive, and having a small part of that means the world to me,” she said, emphasizing the emotional reward of participating in the program.

The ongoing efforts of AMEN House and its volunteers represent a vital initiative aimed at confronting food insecurity in Georgetown, ensuring that children in the community have access to meals beyond what their families can afford.