St. Teresa Ministries awards $156,000 in food access grants

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – St. Teresa Thrift Store & Ministries presented $156,000 in grants to five local organizations Friday morning to help address food insecurity in Warren County.

The grants were presented during the organization’s annual World Food Day of Giving event at St. Teresa Thrift Store in Bowling Green.

The Holy Spirit Conference of St. Vincent de Paul received $75,000, while the St. Joseph Conference of St. Vincent de Paul received $67,000. Both grants include funding for annual operations, holiday food baskets and nonperishable food.

MEALS, Inc. received $10,000 to support meals for local residents, including older adults and people in need. Christ Episcopal Church’s Wednesday Lunch Program received $2,000 to support its weekly meal program.

The Western Kentucky University Student Government Association also received $2,000 in support of the WKU Student Food Pantry, which assists students experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship.

David Miner, producer and director of the documentary Learning Hungry, spoke at the event about the effects of food insecurity, particularly among college students.

“Food insecurity on college campuses nationally is over 40%,” Miner said. “So two out of five students are insecure.”

Miner said food insecurity can affect students’ academic performance and graduation rates. He also emphasized that addressing hunger is possible through collaboration among community organizations and other partners.

“Remember, hunger is solvable,” Miner said. “Other communities have done it.”

Jennifer Bailey, director of development for St. Teresa Ministries, said the organization focuses on supporting local groups already working to meet the community’s needs.

“Our approach is simple. We support local organizations already serving our neighbors,” Bailey said. “They know the needs. They know the families, and they know where the gaps are. Our job is to help strengthen their work.”

Bailey said the grants help provide food for families, meals for older adults and assistance for college students struggling to afford groceries.

Other community leaders also recognized the importance of local partnerships in addressing food insecurity.

State Rep. Kevin Jackson said cooperation among local, state and federal officials helps communities make progress.

“Bowling Green and Warren County is the envy of the state of Kentucky,” Jackson said. “And they always are asking us, how do you do it? And my answer is we work together.”

Jackson also praised the people who support St. Teresa Ministries through their work and volunteer efforts, citing Proverbs 19:17 in recognizing the organization’s service to people in need.

Caden Lucas, Western Kentucky University’s student body president, said the food pantry has seen growing demand from students and others in the university community.

“Over the past few years, we have seen our numbers increase for both students, but also community members and also faculty and staff who need the food pantry,” Lucas said.

Lucas thanked St. Teresa Ministries for investing in the university and helping support students facing food insecurity.

St. Teresa Ministries funds its charitable work through revenue generated by its thrift store, directing resources back into the community through grants and local partnerships.

The organization expects to surpass $1 million in grants awarded to local nonprofit partners over the past five years by the end of 2026.