FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear signed a proclamation on Thursday declaring Jan. 28, 2021 "Hunger Free Day" in Kentucky. He also donated $15,673 left over from the Beshear-Coleman inaugural fund to Feeding Kentucky.

During a virtual event, Beshear praised the advocates and workers on the front line helping Kentucky families stay fed — work made significantly tougher by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the best of times, your work is daunting. During COVID, it has been nothing short of heroic,” Beshear said. “The entire commonwealth owes you all a debt of gratitude but also – crucially – more than just words of thanks. Your efforts deserve our full support.”

Beshear made a surprise announcement during the event with hunger organizations and advocates that he was donating $15,673 leftover from the Beshear-Coleman inaugural fund to Feeding Kentucky, an organization that gets food to Kentuckians in need.

“This donation is another sign of my commitment to fighting hunger and my administration’s belief in you, our indispensable Team Kentucky partners,” Beshear said.

“We are grateful for Gov. Beshear’s continued support of Feeding KY and the one in 5 Kentuckians we serve,” said Karena Cash, advocacy coordinator for Feeding Kentucky. “The Governor’s generous donation today will help ensure that no family in Kentucky has to go to bed hungry tonight, or any night.”

Beshear said the work of Feeding Kentucky and other hunger groups is crucial, with 600,000 Kentuckians relying on food from such organizations. In addition, he also noted that one in six Kentucky households with children experiences food insecurity. Kentucky also has the highest rate of food insecurity among adults ages 50 to 59.

“Gov. Beshear’s generous donation comes at a challenging time for our Feeding KY network of food banks and the Kentuckians we serve,” said Kurt Reiber, CEO of the Freestore Foodbank and board chair of Feeding Kentucky. “We hope that the Governor’s gift will inspire others to support Feeding Kentucky and the work we do.”