HPR4288: God's Pantry Food Bank
Greetings and welcome to Hacker Public Radio. My name is Peter Paterson, also known as SolusSpider, a Scotsman living in Kentucky, USA. This is my second HPR recording. The first was episode 4258 where I gave my introduction and computer history. Once again I am recording the audio on my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phone, running Android 14, with Audio Recorder by Axet. The app was installed from F-Droid. Markdown For my Shownotes I learned to use Markdown by using the ReText app, which allows me to write in one window and preview the result in another. What is this show about? When I visited Archer72, AKA Mark Rice, in November 2024 in his University of Kentucky trauma room I reminded him that I work for God's Pantry Food Bank. He said he wanted to hear more, and highly suggested that I record the story as an HPR show, so here we are. I plan to ask the questions I hear from so many, and attempt to answer them as best I am able. What is the History of God's Pantry Food Bank? Reading directly from the About-Us page of Godspantry.org Mim Hunt, the founder of God's Pantry Food Bank, vowed to leave "the heartbreaking profession of social work" behind when she returned to her hometown of Lexington after serving as a child welfare worker in 1940's New York City. She and her husband, Robert, opened "Mim's," a combination gift shop, antique gallery, and health food store, but after seeing poverty in Lexington that rivaled what she'd fought against in New York, she found herself unable to remain silent. Mim began her work in Lexington by filling her station wagon with food, clothing, and bedding, and distributing it directly to individuals in need. Soon, neighbors were bringing food donations to what became known as "Mim's Pantry" located at her home on Lexington's Parkers Mill Road. But Mim quickly corrected them. "I don't fill these shelves," she said. "God does. This is God's Pantry." God's Pantry Food Bank was born out of this work in 1955 and remained mobile until the first pantry was opened in 1959. Since its founding, the food bank has grown in many ways. What started with one woman attempting to do what she could to address a need is now an organization serving 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky through a number of programs with a dedicated staff committed to the mission of solving hunger. Mim Hunt devoted her life to helping others, and we continue to honor her legacy at God's Pantry Food Bank. Her work is proof that one person, with every small action, can make a large impact. We invite you to join us in continuing Mim's work. Where have been the locations of the main Food Bank facility? My ex-workmate Robert Srodulski recently wrote a reply in Facebook when our newest building was announced. He stated: "If I count right, this is the 6th main warehouse location in Lexington. Congratulations! > Mim's house and car Oldham Avenue garage A building next to Rupp Arena (which is now gone) Forbes Road Jaggie Fox Way, Innovation Drive." My friend Robert was employed by the Food Bank for 26 years. I am chasing his time as the longest lasting male employee. Two ladies have longer service times: Debbie Amburgey with 36.5 years in our Prestonsburg facility. She started on 19th October 1987. Sadly my good friend Debbie passed earlier this year, and I miss her great
