KBC, God's Pantry Team Up July 2, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Even though it’s hot outside, here’s a cool idea: Kentuckians can save lives while also helping to reduce hunger this month.

Kentucky Blood Center and God’s Pantry Food Bank are teaming up to provide Kentuckians the opportunity to give back to their communities during July, a time when the needs are high.

Blood donors will have the chance to forgo their donor gifts in lieu of having KBC donate the value of those gifts to God’s Pantry Food Bank. For the cost of a KBC T-shirt, for instance, God’s Pantry can feed a hungry person for nearly four days.

Community needs don't take a vacation

Both food and blood donations typically slow down in the summer months, but the need remains high.

“With the record-breaking temperatures, we’ve seen fewer donors than expected. We especially encourage donors to give blood during this important holiday week to prevent a decline in blood availability for patients,” said Martha Osborne, executive director of recruitment and marketing. “So this is a great opportunity to help hungry families and Kentucky patients."

An extra reason to give blood

Donors 18 and over who register to donate through Sept. 14 will be automatically eligible to win a 2012 Toyota RAV4, the grand prize in KBC’s Summer4Life. All blood types are needed but there is a particular need for donors with negative blood types – O, A, B, & AB negative.

To find a donation location or to schedule a donation, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522.

KBC, the largest FDA regulated blood bank in Kentucky, is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties. KBC relies on volunteers to donate 400 pints of blood per day to meet area patients’ needs. Over the last year KBC distributed nearly 130,000 blood components.

The mission of God’s Pantry Food Bank is to reduce hunger in Kentucky through community cooperation making the best possible use of all available resources. We serve 50 counties of central and eastern Kentucky and distribute $10 worth of food for every $1 donated. Last year, God’s Pantry Food Bank and its member agencies distributed more than 22.9 million pounds of groceries to more than 211,000 individuals. God’s Pantry Food Bank is a member of Feeding America. Through community partnerships and distribution of food to 50,000 agencies, Feeding America collectively works to assure that people in need have access to a balanced diet. For more information visit us at godspantry.org or feedingamerica.org.