COVINGTON, Ky. — A Northern Kentucky food pantry is helping to feed more people than usual thanks to charity donations.

In early April, Be Concerned food pantry transitioned into a carhop model to limit interaction. Since then, with the help of the Horizon Community Funds and local business, they’ve been able to hire additional help to meet demand.

One of those hires is Tray Hubbard. Before the pandemic, he was making efforts to get his life back together.

“I was on the streets for like several nights and it was rough,” Hubbard said. “Losing my apartment, I temporarily became homeless.”

All his efforts, unfortunately, had to abruptly stop, until now. These days, the 48-year-old wipes down carts. He's taken a part-time job at Be Concerned food pantry.

“It’s been a blessing to, like I said Welcome House giving us shelter, also with them being able to help other folks, also it’s helping me put money in my pocket to try to get myself out of the homeless situation back on my feet,” Hubbard said.

Back on his feet to help others.

Executive Director Andy Brunsman said, “At a food pantry, you don't want best counts being record-breaking, but we served over 1,520 families in the month of March between our two sites at the start of the pandemic.”

Brunsman said that’s 40 percent more than they normally serve. In early April, the Kentucky National Guard helped but for a limited time. So for Brunsman, having people like Hubbard helps manage the food distribution.

“You know the chance for me to come in and help everybody especially during the pandemic has been really awesome,” Hubbard said.

The food pantry received $150,000 from the Horizon Community Funds Coronavirus Relief Fund.