Community Unites to Ensure a Bountiful Thanksgiving for All

This Thanksgiving season, our community has come together in a remarkable show of generosity to help ensure that families in our community don’t go without during the holiday. This initiative, led by dedicated Rowan County Fiscal Court and RCDC employees, Judge-Executive Harry Clark, Magistrates, and Jailer Wes Coldiron, has garnered tremendous support from citizens and local businesses, making it a true testament to the spirit of giving.

From November 3rd to 16th, all local grocery stores and supermarkets joined together to encourage their shoppers to donate shelf-stable foods. The goal: to ensure that families in the area can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Folks were invited to contribute by purchasing shelf-stable foods and depositing them in marked barrels conveniently placed near store entrances. Donations were also accepted at the Rowan County Courthouse and St. Claire HealthCare, providing multiple avenues for the community to participate in this effort.

On November 16th, the donated goods were transferred to the Rowan County Detention Center, where inmates and staff joined forces to package and assemble 200 boxes. Then on Monday, November 20th, struggling families, income-verified and referred by God’s Pantry Food Bank, had the opportunity to pick up these specially prepared Thanksgiving meal boxes, each containing essential foods to make the holiday season brighter.

In an extraordinary display of generosity, Commonwealth Cooperage and St. Claire HealthCare each donated 100 Thanksgiving turkeys to accompany the meal boxes. Their support has been instrumental in ensuring that these holiday meals are not only complete but also a source of joy for families facing challenging times.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Welches Packaging for generously donating the boxes that facilitated the packaging and distribution process.

Special recognition is also extended to Jeff Fannin for his contributions. Jeff donated an entire truckload of food. We’re incredibly grateful for all he does for our community and his participation in this effort.

Furthermore, we’d like to thank all our local grocery stores who participated. Walmart, Kroger, Allen’s IGA, and Save-a-lot all joined together to help us collect these food drive donations.

This would not have been possible without the RCDC inmates who enthusiastically volunteered their time and efforts to package the donations. They all said that they enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the community and help others enjoy the holiday. We sincerely appreciate their hard work and the meaningful impact they made on families receiving food. Deputy Jailer Tyler Crawford did an excellent job directing the pickup line and organizing the RCDC volunteers.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you extends to the compassionate citizens of Rowan County who have generously contributed to our Thanksgiving food drive. Your selfless donations of canned and shelf-stable foods have not only filled our barrels but also warmed the hearts of families in need. Your support has been instrumental in making this initiative a success, ensuring that everyone in our community can gather around a bountiful Thanksgiving table. Your generosity exemplifies the true spirit of giving, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others during this season of gratitude. Thank you, Rowan County, for coming together and embodying the essence of community and compassion.

Judge-Executive Harry Clark expressed his gratitude to the community, saying, "This initiative is a true reflection of the compassionate spirit that defines Morehead and Rowan County. We are immensely thankful for the support from our partners, Commonwealth Cooperage and St. Claire HealthCare, as well as the dedication of our community members. Together, we are making a difference and ensuring that no one is left behind during this season of giving."