In Kentucky, 662,360 people are struggling with hunger — and of them 186,660 are children.

According to Feeding America, 1 in 7 Kentuckians struggle with hunger. For Kentucky children, it’s 1 in 5.

Kentuckians facing hunger need $300,484,000 per year to meet their food needs. The average cost of a meal in Kentucky is $2.66, according to data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2019 study.   

Richard Gomez said the statistics are staggering. But organizations like the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in Winchester are doing their part to help curb food insecurity in Clark County.

The 12th annual Friends of the Poor Walk is 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at College Park.

Gomez, co-chairman of the walk, said the Winchester conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which is one of the oldest charitable organizations in the world, sponsors the walk.

Currently, there are more than 800,000 members in 44,600 conferences worldwide who provide “person-to-person” help to the poor and needy.

In the United States alone, there are about 150,000 members spread among 4,441 conferences. The Friends of the Poor Walk was first started in 2008 in the US to support local projects run by each chapter.

Gomez said the goal of the walk is to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the St. Vincent de Paul society. The events also raise money for whatever the needs are of that particular conference.

The Winchester conference at St. Joseph Catholic Church uses the funds raised to stock the food pantry, which serves 60 to 90 families each month.

“In our first walk back in 2008, we raised about $4,000,” Gomez said. “Last year, with the efforts of more than 30 walkers, more than $16,000 was raised.”

Gomez said he hopes to meet or beat last year’s total. The Knights of Columbus will match donations up to $2,500.

“It’s for the needy people in Winchester,” he said. “… This walk this Saturday, hopefully, will accomplish a lot of things such as getting involved, donating, participating, getting to know some of the people in Winchester.”

Gomez said he first got involved with the conference after realizing his life’s blessings and the need for him to give back. When he and his wife joined the St. Joseph parish after moving to Winchester from Virginia, he heard about the St. Vincent de Paul Society and decided to join.

“It’s been a very enriching experience,” Gomez said.

Gomez sees firsthand the effects of food insecurity and the need for food pantries such as the one the conference offers.

“It’s always good to know that you’re making a difference, trying to make a difference,” he said.

The conference also connects its food pantry participants to resources in the community such as New Beginnings, hotlines, other food pantries and more.

“It’s a community effort,” Gomez said. “No one person can do it.”

The keynote speaker at this year’s walk with Father Norman Fischer, former pastor of St. Joseph’s parish.

If it rains, walkers can go to the College Park gym, where there is an indoor track. Those interested in participating can show up to College Park to register or donate on the day of the walk.

Walkers will receive a free T-shirt, coffee and doughnuts.

For more information, go to fopwalk.org/event/2450. Gomez invites everyone to participate in the walk and to donate to the cause.

“I like to think that we are part of that solution of helping Kentucky,” Gomez said of the Winchester conference. “Everybody deserves the opportunity for food on the table.”