Best Local Charities to Feed Louisvillians

Does anyone work with or have knowledge of local charities that feed people people in need? Preferably ones that spend most of their money on helping others, not fund-raising and advertising.

We give money to causes we value, but given the state of the economy, I want to do something to keep the cash in my own city.

Actually, suggestions of other organizations in need are good too, but food is so important. I can't imagine watching my own children go without.

Thanks..

A GREAT website for helping to evaluate charities is

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

You can search by geographical location, category, top 10 lists, etc. It rates charities by a star system, and for each charity it shows the breakdown of how their money is spent (% program expenses, % administrative, % fundraising) It gives their revenue and expenses in $$ figures. It even gives the salaries of their leadership. I highly recommend it!

And I also like to support Dare to Care locally. I have volunteered there before putting food boxes together and I believe that they are one of the only emergency food banks in Louisville. They are involved in everything from distributing food through neighborhood distribution centers, to the Kids Cafe, to food for shelters.

http://www.daretocare.org/index.html

Dare to Care does great work, and I believe their overhead is low.

Kentucky Harvest is another great local food charity.

Deb

My church up in Charlestown, Indiana participates with nine other congregations in Southern Indiana to feed the hungry on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons in downtown New Albany. The operation is called "Christ's Kitchen" and meals are served to 60 to 80 people, on average. The facility where the meals are prepared and served are at:

Centenary Methodist Church
309 East Spring Street
New Albany, Indiana 47150
Office: (812) 944-7696

http://www.centenary-na.org/feeding.shtml

I know first hand that any donations to this program will be put to excellent use. The program has virtually no overhead beyond the purchase of food and materials for serving meals.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Lois

When I volunteered on the Crisis & Information Line, I was amazed at how many hungry people there are in Louisville. Along w/ Dare to Care , there are at least 5 other food pantry/ closets in the city. If you call 589-4313, you can ask if they know any particular group that may not get the exposure as dare to care-though do a good job, also the volunteer connection has great information.
I can't imagine being hungry, or having my child go without, yet so many people are in our community.

If you want to do faith-based, but not through a particular church, there are community ministries in all parts of the metro area. They help feed people, but also provide some counseling services and emergency assistance such as during the holidays and for people "on the edge."
More info at http://www.drsg.org/ministries.html

I work with The House of Ruth here in town. This is an organization that offers all kinds of need to families affected by AIDS or HIV. These people are usually the folks that suffer from lack of money, lack of medical help and a lack of most of the resources that others enjoy. Many have been turned out by their own families or churches. Please keep in mind, HOR helps not just people with AIDS/HIV, but also their husbands, wives, children - many who suffer because of decisions made by others.

You might also look into donating to Jefferson County schools. I'm not sure how this works, but I can certainly find out. At my school, kids are chosen at the beginning of the year based on need and get to take home a backpack full of food every Friday. I could only choose two but really, most of my class could probably use it. I'll see what I can find out from our family resource teacher.

Jessica,

I'm pretty sure those backpacks are from "Blessings in a Backpack". That would be another great local food charity to donate to.

Here's their website:
http://www.blessingsinabackpack.comDEb

Jessica,

I'm pretty sure those backpacks are from "Blessings in a Backpack". That would be another great local food charity to donate to.

Here's their website:
http://www.blessingsinabackpack.comDEb

I think you're probably right. The two kids that get the backpacks in my class are always so excited when the time comes on Friday afternoon. Fortunately, they don't feel singled out but special.

Thanks! I think we're going with Dare to Care. According to their website, they offer the backpacks to kids as well. I appreciate the help.

That's wonderful because I found out yesterday that our backpack program is actually through Dare to Care. I spoke to my family resource teacher and she said that you can donate directly to Dare to Care and specify that you want to support the backpack program or you can give directly to the school and the money will go towards supplementary food items.

My son has done volunteer work at Kid's Cafe. Wonderful organization that feeds kids in our community. Go through Dare-to-Care.