Donate to 'Groceries for Good' Today

Grocery shoppers can donate to local food pantries while they shop on Saturday, November 17.

Groceries for Good is a community-wide food drive that will help stock the pantries of nine different local charitable organizations in Paducah and three in Massac County. People can donate food to help families in need at the 26th annual food drive. In addition to canned goods, donations accepted include dry food items, baby items, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and paper products.

"I think it's a great way to recognize the blessings that we have individually, and a great way to start out the holiday season of giving," event coordinator Lisa O'Rourke said. "It puts everything into perspective as we go into the holiday season."

Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., participating grocery stores in McCracken and Massac counties will accept donations. They are the three Kroger stores in Paducah, Banks Market in Lone Oak, Cash Saver on Jackson Street, Forthman Foods IGA in Kevil, Food Giant in Reidland, Big John’s and Save-A-Lot in Metropolis.

McCracken County donations will be taken to Paducah Tilghman High School where volunteers will sort the donated items and prepare them for distribution to the nine local agencies. Service agencies will collect donated goods for delivery to families during the holidays.

McCracken agencies participating are The Salvation Army, Family Service Society, Hope Unlimited Family Care Center, Martha's Vineyard, Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, Paducah Day Nursery, River City Mission and St. Vincent de Paul. Massac County agencies include Hope Unlimited, Cope Food Pantry, and Guardian Family Services. 

In 2017, the event raised more than $46,000 worth of food and saw over 450 volunteers. O'Rourke said more volunteers are still needed for this year’s event.

Volunteers include local Boy and Girl Scout troops, youth groups, community members, and students from Paducah Tilghman, McCracken County and St. Mary high schools.

The event is sponsored by The Paducah Sun and The Metropolis Planet, and all proceeds remain local.

For more information on volunteering or to make a cash donation, contact Lisa O’Rourke at lorourke93@gmail.com or 270-559-6490.