Specialty Foods Group (SFG) has donated more than 23,000 pounds of food to various social services and religious organizations in the area. Organizations graciously receiving these donations included the Salvation Army, St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter, Boulware Mission, the Help Office, the Daniel Pitino Shelter, God’s House of Hope, King’s Table Food Pantry, the Christian Food Bank of Hopkins County and the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County. Specific food items donated included hams, sausages, and franks — which are some of the most popular items SFG produces.

As actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 have essentially placed numerous industries on pause, the economic ripple effect has been felt in communities across the country — including Owensboro and the larger tri-state area. As a consequence, social services are seeing their resources stretched thin.

“We recognize the stress this crisis has placed upon many families and organizations in our community, and likewise the need for us to pull together and help each other through this time,” said Eric Sheiss, SFG’s president.

Jerry Moore, an employee at the Daniel Pitino Shelter, which offers housing and meals for those experiencing homelessness, said they’re definitely seeing a spike in visitors. “Our kitchen usually serves between 85 and 100 lunches per day,” he said. “Lately, I’d say we’re averaging about 150, so these food donations are a huge help.”