Family Kitchen is a cooperative meal ministry in McCracken County, Kentucky, supported by 15 congregations—10 United Methodist and five from other denominations—that rotate responsibility for preparing and serving weekly meals. Each church plans, cooks, and serves on a rotating schedule, creating a shared model of ministry grounded in collaboration and consistency.
The program serves individuals living in nearby subsidized housing as well as many who are unhoused and travel on foot or bicycle to receive meals. A significant portion of guests are older adults living on fixed incomes.
“Approximately 65 to 70% are over 55,” said Leslie Ballard, program contact for Family Kitchen. “Many are truly homeless. They walk or ride bicycles to Family Kitchen.”
On average, the ministry serves about 100 people each Saturday, up from roughly 40 in its earlier years. Along with hot meals, volunteers prepare extra portions in takeout containers so guests can share with homebound neighbors or save food for later.
We serve approximately 100 each Saturday, ... We try to fix a little extra because people like to do takeouts for someone who is homebound or for another meal.
“We serve approximately 100 each Saturday,” Ballard said. “We try to fix a little extra because people like to do takeouts for someone who is homebound or for another meal.”
Founded in 1997, Family Kitchen grew out of a recognized need for meal services on the south side of Paducah. Today, it operates as part of a broader network of community meal providers that help ensure daily access to food across the region.
Food insecurity in the area fluctuates with weather and economic pressures. Severe winter storms can limit transportation, while delays in SNAP benefits often increase demand for free community meals.
“When those benefits get delayed, there is a greater need for meals or food to be distributed,” Ballard said.
Before receiving support from the ENCORE Ministry Foundation, Family Kitchen faced ongoing challenges in covering essential operating costs. While congregations provide food, the ministry centrally purchases supplies such as plates, cups, utensils, cleaning products, condiments, and takeout packaging.
“These supplies are a little over $4,000 a year, not including repairs or appliance replacement,” Ballard said. “When we have to buy a new appliance, that depletes our supply money.”
The ENCORE Ministry Foundation grant allowed the ministry to stabilize these expenses and make larger bulk supply purchases rather than relying on frequent small orders driven by limited funds. This helped ensure consistent weekly operations.
We were able to make a larger supply order than we normally could,” Ballard said. ... That is not something we typically have the flexibility to do.
“We were able to make a larger supply order than we normally could,” Ballard said. “That is not something we typically have the flexibility to do.”
With supplies secured, Family Kitchen can serve meals without interruption and continue offering takeout options for guests who are homebound or food insecure between service days. The added stability also allows volunteers to focus more fully on hospitality and service.
“It gives us confidence to go in and know all the supplies will be there,” Ballard said. “We’re not running out of things or scrambling.”
Volunteers—many of whom are senior adults—are central to the ministry’s success. Weekly teams typically include 10 to 12 people, though some churches bring as many as 20, serving in roles from cooking to cleanup.
“Some people love to cook, others love to serve,” Ballard said. “There’s room for everyone in this ministry.”
A core group of retirees also provides consistent support, ensuring continuity when church teams are unavailable. This structure helps sustain reliable service across all weeks of operation.
Looking ahead, Family Kitchen views supply costs as essential to long-term sustainability. The ENCORE Ministry Foundation grant provides important stability, allowing the ministry to focus more on serving meals and less on ongoing fundraising.
“Supplies are vital to our ministry,” Ballard said. “Without them, we simply couldn’t serve the number of people who come each week.”
After nearly 30 years, Family Kitchen continues to reflect a model of shared responsibility, dignity, and steady care for neighbors in need.
About ENCORE Ministry Foundation
ENCORE Ministry Foundation equips congregations to serve older adults through grants, partnerships, leadership development, and age-friendly church certifications. In 2025, the foundation awarded $100,000 to 20 churches through the Kent and Ellen McNish Food Security Grant, supporting food distribution ministries for older adults facing hunger.
