Churchill partners with the Lord’s Kitchen in food box
giveaway
Volunteers and staff from The Lord’s Kitchen and racetrack and corporate team
members from Churchill Downs have started Thanksgiving Week beneath the historic
Twin Spires with the annual task of preparing boxes of food items that will
distributed with frozen turkeys during the charitable organization’s annual
Thanksgiving Family Food Box Giveaway at the track on Tuesday.
The Thanksgiving food boxes, which contain canned goods and other
non-perishable items sufficient to feed a family of four, were being assembled
Monday by volunteers in the Paddock Pavilion, the site of Tuesday’s
distribution. Many Churchill Downs employees and officials have also donated
food items for the boxes, with some track departments competing against each
other for the honor of collecting the largest amount of food items donated to
the annual event.
Nearly 600 families were served during the Thanksgiving Family Food Box
Giveaway in 2010 and at least that many will receive frozen turkeys and boxes
packed with holiday foods and trimmings this year. The food box distribution is
scheduled for 10 a.m. (EST) Tuesday in the track’s Paddock Pavilion.
Only those who previously registered to participate in The Lord’s Kitchen’s
Thanksgiving Family Food Box Giveaway will be provided with a turkey and food
box on Tuesday. There is no walk-up distribution. Information on The Lord’s
Kitchen is available online at
www.theLordsKitchen.com.
The Lord’s Kitchen is located just a few blocks from Churchill Downs at 2732
South 5th Street and has been serving needy families and residents in the
neighborhood surrounding the historic home of the Kentucky Derby since Christmas
Day, 1988. The organization recently expanded its mission and facilities with
the opening of its City of Hope at 18th and Standard Avenue.
The 2011 renewal marks the fifth consecutive year that Churchill Downs has
teamed with The Lord’s Kitchen for the holiday Family Food Box Giveaway.
“The Thanksgiving Family Food Box Giveaway is always a very special occasion
for needy residents in our community that we serve 365 days a year and the
volunteers who open their hearts to provide their time, service and financial
support for this event,” said Sam Watene, executive director of The Lord’s
Kitchen.
“Churchill Downs is both a good neighbor and important supporter of the work
of The Lord’s Kitchen, and it is a joy each year to join the generous volunteers
from its staff for this event that touches so many lives during a very important
time.
“The need among the families we serve in neighborhoods surrounding Churchill
Downs and throughout our entire community continues to grow, so we thank
Churchill Downs and those throughout Metro Louisville who support of our
Thanksgiving Family Food Box Giveaway and the work of The Lord’s Kitchen
throughout the year.”
Additional volunteers to serve meals at The Lord’s Kitchen on Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day are needed. Those interested in volunteering or donating
food for other holiday programs at The Lord’s Kitchen should call (502)
964-3304, ext. 1250.