Barren County Schools nutrition director shows up for Hunger Action Month

Story by WKYT

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A Barren County local is among those speaking out to raise awareness as Hunger Action Month approaches in Kentucky.

Experts say one in six Kentuckians, or 710,000 individuals, in the state are struggling with hunger.

It’s a shocking statistic that the state knows all too well, one that prompts the governor’s office to take action.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman says, “We know that when times get tough, that Kentuckians have each others backs. Gov. Beshear has proclaimed it as Hunger Action Month in Kentucky.”

In the days leading up to September, state and local leaders join to push the reminder that for Kentuckians to be their best, they need to be nourished.

Johnathan Shell, agriculture commissioner, says, “You have an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life today. You have an opportunity to make a difference in your community today as we come into September and Hunger Action Month, you can volunteer, you can donate, you can show up for your community.”

A portion of the presentation focused on the impact of schools feeding their students.

CheyAnne Fant, nutrition director for Barren County Schools, sees that impact daily, crediting universal free meals in their school district for changing lives.

Fant says, “There is no child that comes through the line with a stigma, there is no child who has debt in our district…that impact goes beyond the cafeteria. I have classroom teachers, I have principals that say, ‘You know what? These kids can pay attention now because their bellies are full.'”

She calls it a positive step in the direction of feeing Kentucky but just one step of many that need to be taken, leaving the meeting with a call to action for those staring the hurdle of hunger in the face.

Fant says, “Hunger action month is our chance to stand together and we can say ‘Not in Kentucky, not in our community.'”