LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Thursday, July 18, No Kid Hungry, Feeding Kentucky and the Kentucky Department of Education recognized Cathy Gallagher as one of 10 honorees awarded with the 2024 National Summer Hunger Hero due her dedication to children’s hunger relief during the summer with the Summer Food Service Program at KDE.

What You Need To Know

  • Cathy Gallagher as one of ten honorees awarded with the 2024 National Summer Hunger Hero

  • Gallagher recived this honor due her dedication to children’s hunger relief during the summer, wher she was able to expand summer meals in rural communities and help set in motion the new summer EBT program.

  • This year from May and June the summer feeding program served over 3 million meals across the Commonwealth

“It’s extremely meaningful because it just it reflects the work we’ve done to ensure that so many kids get meals. So, yeah, I never anticipated it. I’m very honored. And I’m very, very grateful,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher says when she first started 11 years ago she initially didn’t know much about the program

“I was amazed at how many organizations, school districts, and nonprofits were out there doing this hard work in the summer to feed kids. And I think the most impactful thing was getting out to the meal sites and seeing the children and seeing the need and seeing the gratitude, seeing how much they appreciated the meals,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher was able to expand summer meals in rural communities and help set in motion the new summer EBT program.

The Kentucky Commissioner of Education Dr. Robbie Fletcher says Cathy is such an important leader and a role model to make sure to kids across the Commonwealth.

“Make sure that we can remove barriers, make sure that we can find ways, and we’re going to stay innovation, innovative ways to reach kids every single day. She thrives, she strives to find new ways to meet needs for kids,” said Fletcher.

Both Fletcher and Gallagher say hunger is a very real problem in Kentucky. The goal is to make sure that no kid goes hungry at any time and it’s important that families know these meals are available.

“Summers, winters, breaks, after school, before school. We want to be there to help our children, not only educate them, but also meet their needs,” said Fletcher.

“Having a system in place that ensures there are meals available truly is there to benefit children and just give them the opportunity to succeed and have every opportunity to grow and be healthy,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher says there are more kids getting summer meals in Kentucky than ever before from this program. This year, from May and June, the summer feeding program served over 3 million meals across the Commonwealth.

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