Whether providing a hot meal or food in bulk, feeding the hungry is one of the most basic community services.  With a recent grant of $5,000, Columbia Gas of Kentucky is helping Ashland’s River Cities Harvest feed more hungry families.

River Cities Harvest is a non-profit, volunteer-based agency whose mission is to alleviate hunger in Boyd and Greenup Counties in Kentucky and Lawrence County, Ohio. River Cities Harvest solicits surplus, perishable and non-perishable food from restaurants, supermarkets, and other sources and distributes it to 29 social service agencies that feed hungry individuals and families. 

“The need for food donations for agencies feeding the hungry is so great that without the resources we provide many people would go without a daily meal,” said Bob Owen, River Cities Harvest project coordinator.  “This Columbia Gas gift will make a huge difference in our ability to purchase much needed protein and other food items.  This will go a long way in helping local agencies and food pantries meet their great need.”

River Cities Harvest is located in a unique group setting, called The Neighborhood, in Ashland. One building houses River Cities Harvest, Ashland CAReS, Ashland Community Kitchen, The Dressing Room and Ashland Area Presbyterian Ministries.  According to Owen, housing all of these organizations under one roof “just makes sense” as they serve many of the same clients and those clients can receive multiple services in one location.

“River Cities Harvest responds to a very real need in the tri-state area and we are pleased to support their good work,” said Columbia Gas of Kentucky President Herbert A. Miller, Jr.