FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Louisville Pride Center and Dare to Care Partner to Launch First Secular Food Pantry for LGBTQIA+ Community
Louisville, KY, July 11, 2024 — The Louisville Pride Center, in collaboration with Dare to Care, is excited to announce the launch of a new, choice-centered food pantry, set to begin operations in mid-August 2024. This initiative will be the first and only secular food pantry in the area. While it is open to anyone in need, this partnership will ensure a location that is specifically designed to provide the services available through Dare to Care in a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking affirming and dignified access to these services.
The Louisville Pride Center’s food pantry will provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals can comfortably access essential food resources. The choice-centered approach empowers clients to select items that meet their specific dietary needs and preferences, ensuring a more personalized and supportive experience.
“Many people in our community have food insecurity,” said Sydni Hampton, Program Manager at the Louisville Pride Center, who is heading the program. “Unfortunately, stigma for being ‘in need’ or discomfort with getting food from religious institutions causes many to shirk the resource. I’ve been there, I get it. I’m an artist, and a drag queen at that, sometimes I experience food insecurity. There’s no shame in it. That’s something I hope to see change with the introduction of this as a resource.”
Hampton continued, “It’s important that there’s a conversation around the stigma and dismantling it and understanding that you don’t have to be on the streets or starving to be food insecure. Food insecurity is irregular, incomplete or a total lack of access to food. It’s a term that’s inclusive of maybe eating once a day or having to scavenge for food, or eating regularly but not being able to access food that is healthy, or otherwise not being secure that you will have food when you need it.”
The partnership with Dare to Care addresses a significant barrier many LGBTQIA+ individuals face when seeking assistance from food banks, which are often housed in religious institutions. “This partnership was a breath of fresh air,” Hampton added. “With so many LGBTQIA+ folks who don’t feel safe or comfortable in a church, it is natural that we provide that at the Louisville Pride Center. Now, you don’t have to worry about how you’re perceived or if you’ll be welcome.”
The Louisville Pride Center offers several vital services to the community, including harm reduction supplies, vaccine clinics, social support groups and more. By providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment, the Center continues its mission to support and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community in Louisville.
For more information, please contact:
Sydni Hampton, Program Manager
Louisville Pride Center
[email protected]
For more information as it becomes available, visit: LouPrideKY.org/FoodPantry
Want to get involved? Contact Sydni Hampton @ [email protected]
About Louisville Pride Center
The Louisville Pride Center is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community through advocacy, education, and support. The Center offers a wide range of services and programs designed to meet the diverse needs of the community it serves.
About Dare to Care
Dare to Care is a nonprofit organization committed to ending hunger in the community through partnerships, innovative programs, and volunteer support. By collaborating with local organizations, Dare to Care ensures that food assistance is accessible to all who need it.
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