LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Thanksgiving Eve in 1969, nine-year-old Bobby Ellis passed away of malnutrition in his Louisville home. The Louisville community united to make sure what happened to Bobby would never happen to anyone again, which led to the formation of the Dare to Care Food Bank.

What You Need To Know

  • Dare to Care Food Bank was created after the tragedy of nine-year-old Bobby Ellis passed away of malnutrition on Thanksgiving Eve in 1969

  • The food bank held their inaugural Bobby Ellis Memorial Food Pantry drive, feeding 195 families

  •  The organization serves 13 counties throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana to end hunger

  • The food bank provides 2.37 million pounds of food to those experiencing food insecurity

Bobby’s sister, Nicki Ellis, was only two years old when he passed away.

She says she is happy that so many people are able to get the food they need.

“I really am grateful that they’re giving out food to make sure that everybody eats. Because what happened to my brother? I just feel like if people were more caring and more understanding and checked on people more, then that probably wouldn’t have happened,” said Ellis.

Monday, Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville hosted the first Memorial Food Pantry in honor of Bobby in place of the walk to Bobby’s former home and school. Ellis helped give out candles that tell Bobby’s story.

“Beautiful, I love it. And we’re going to make this like a ritual. We go do this every year. Yes, so blessed. Folks, this is beautiful. And Bobby’s up there. That’s why the sun is out; Bobby is smiling,” said Ellis.

Glennis Smith says she frequents the food bank at least twice a week. “I hate that he lost his life in order for Dare to Care to be created. But I’m grateful for Dare to Care because Dare to Care has fed me, has fed my family. It has come through for me in some pretty rough patches,” said Smith.

President and CEO of Dare to Care Food Bank Vincent James says the food bank serves 13 counties and over 300 partners that help distribute food.

He says they have seen a 30% increase over the past two years in demand of their services.

“That’s simply because of the inflation and the prices of food gone up. People can’t afford to be able to purchase what we feel is a basic human right, and that’s food. And so it’s more important than ever before that Dare to Care is in existence to be able to serve our community, and n the way that we’re able to serve,” said James.

Ellis says she hopes people will speak up, get help if they need it and help others.

“I hope that people will care about other people. Not just your stuff, not your things, but other people and check on people. I really hope that people will do that more,” said Ellis.

The Bobby Ellis Memorial Food Pantry Drive fed 195 families.

Dare to Care Food Bank provides 2.37 million pounds of food to those experiencing food insecurity and have over 69 sites throughout Louisville that do food distribution.

Related Stories