More Than 500 Families, Individuals Recieve Thanksgiving Food Baskets From The Lord's Kitchen at Churchill Downs

Nov 25, 2009 John Asher

More than 500 families and individuals  received frozen turkeys and boxes of food that contained canned goods and other holiday trimmings at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, Nov. 24 as The Lord’s Kitchen conducted its annual Thanksgiving Family Food Box Giveaway at the home of the Kentucky Derby.

Volunteers from The Lord’s Kitchen joined team members from the Churchill Downs racetrack and corporate offices in distributing the frozen turkeys and food boxes to needy residents who filed through the track’s Paddock Pavilion.  Tuesday’s giveaway marked the third consecutive year in which the Thanksgiving Family Food Box Giveaway had been held at the historic racetrack.

The Lord’s Kitchen, located a few blocks from Churchill Downs at 2732 South 5th Street, is in its 21st year of serving needy families and residents in the neighborhood.

To help families is, I think, one of the most honorable acts in life, and The Lord’s Kitchen has been doing this work since Christmas Day of 1988,” said Rev. Larry Coleman, the director of the Lord’s Kitchen.  “When you help someone else in life, you always know that you’ve made a difference in their life.  It’s exciting to be able to help people in this, and we thank Churchill Downs for the way it has partnered with us to reach members to the community.”

The food boxes distributed on Tuesday included more than 3,200 pounds of food donated by employees of Churchill Downs racetrack; Churchill Downs Incorporated; Levy Restaurants, the track’s food service provider; and Brantley Services, which provides security, parking and other services to the track.

“Churchill Downs is honored to again join Pastor Coleman and the wonderful volunteers from The Lord’s Kitchen in the Thanksgiving Family Food Box Giveaway that helps so many needy families in the neighborhoods surrounding to our track,” said Dana Johnson, director of Community Relations.  “Our racetrack and corporate teams and staff members from Levy Restaurants and Brantley Services have embraced this special event, and their enthusiasm and generosity grows each year.  It’s an honor to work with Pastor Coleman and the volunteers of The Lord’s Kitchen, whose selfless work touches the lives of so many of our neighbors during the holidays and throughout the year.”

Persons interested in volunteering or donating food to The Lord’s Kitchen during the holidays or throughout the year can obtain information by calling (502) 964-3304 ext. 1250.