UP Initiative of Madison County

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UP Initiative of Madison County UP Initiative is a welcoming community hub in Berea, KY, offering support, resources, and connection for all.

From hot meals to daily essentials, we lift each other UP — because everyone deserves dignity, hope, and a place to belong.

Here's whats left of the items in the building that need homes!We will take any donation offered for these items 🤗🤗All m...
07/13/2026

Here's whats left of the items in the building that need homes!
We will take any donation offered for these items 🤗🤗
All money collected will go towards our future pop-up feeding events.

07/09/2026

!! UPDATE !!

If you would like to come purchase or pick up any free items, below are the hours we will be available:

Today, until 6
Friday, 10-5
Saturday, 10-2
Sunday, TBD

07/08/2026

Hi everyone!

As you know, we will be closing the doors to the UP-Initiative drop-in center on July 12th. With this, we have a lot of inventory that we won't have room to keep in storage. If anyone would like to stop by at some point this week from 12-2, you may pick up some of the items you may need.

There are tons of clothes, shoes, hygiene products, and dishware/utensils. Many of our larger items like the futons, tables, appliances, and such will be listed on Facebook Marketplace so that we can make back a little bit of money to support the future sustainability of the Initiative, but you are also welcome to make offers in-person or online.

Please don't hesitate to stop by. If we don't get rid of everything, it will be donated. We will not have enough space for it all.

There will be more posts to come today, including images of some of the things we have available. Thank you all!

đź’™ Big Changes Are Coming to UP Initiative đź’™After nearly three years of serving our community through the UP Initiative D...
06/13/2026

đź’™ Big Changes Are Coming to UP Initiative đź’™

After nearly three years of serving our community through the UP Initiative Drop-In Center, we will officially close the center on June 30, 2026.

While the building is closing, UP Initiative is not.

Over the past few years, we've learned so much about the needs of our community and the impact we can make when neighbors come together to help one another. As we move forward, we will be pivoting to a model that allows us to focus even more directly on our mission—providing food, resources, and support to our unhoused and underhoused neighbors.

This transition is bittersweet, but we're incredibly proud of everything we've accomplished together. Thousands of meals served, countless resources distributed, and so many meaningful relationships built along the way.

The building may be closing, but the mission continues. đź’™

We'll be sharing more information about our next chapter in the coming weeks, so be sure to follow our page for updates and opportunities to get involved.

Thank you for believing in this work and for loving your neighbors alongside us.

⬆️ It's Only UP From Here ⬆️

Moving forward, we plan to share some helpful Tuesday Tips! These will outline some ways you can help our organization, ...
06/02/2026

Moving forward, we plan to share some helpful Tuesday Tips! These will outline some ways you can help our organization, our community, and our neighbors navigate homelessness and hunger.

Stay tuned for more!

Link to website: https://www.up-initiative.org/

IT’S OFFICIAL 🎉HB 281 was signed into law—and everything just changed for UP!We can now accept home-cooked meals from ou...
04/07/2026

IT’S OFFICIAL 🎉
HB 281 was signed into law—and everything just changed for UP!

We can now accept home-cooked meals from our community. No commercial kitchen. No restaurant purchases. Just neighbors showing up for neighbors.

This is something we’ve been waiting on for a long time. And now… we get to continue building something really special.

Sign up today to bring a meal: https://mealtrain.com/zzg6ed

🔥 It’s happening RIGHT NOW, Berea! 🔥The room is PACKED and the energy is incredible at TURN IT UP! — a benefit concert +...
03/27/2026

🔥 It’s happening RIGHT NOW, Berea! 🔥

The room is PACKED and the energy is incredible at TURN IT UP! — a benefit concert + fundraiser supporting UP Initiative and the movement for liberation from mass incarceration.

Music is flowing, community is showing UP, and there’s still time to join us! We’ll be here rocking until 10PM tonight 🎶

📍 Rebel Rebel – 440 Chestnut Street
⏰ Happening NOW through 10PM

Come be part of something powerful. Come love your neighbors. Come TURN IT UP.

In deep collaboration for liberation from mass incarceration, Abolition Now! + Let's Get Free Women and Trans Prisoner D...
03/23/2026

In deep collaboration for liberation from mass incarceration, Abolition Now! + Let's Get Free Women and Trans Prisoner Defense Committee + Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge proudly present TURN IT UP! A Benefit Show for the UP Initiative of Madison County.

The UP Initiative works on the front lines to keep our community safe and cared for by battling food insecurity and fostering dignity amongst Bereans who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness.

All are welcome to come and be a part of Berea's vibrant community of compassionate neighbors and TURN IT UP for the UP!

Doors @ 6pm
Show @ 7pm

Sliding scale donation at the door, nobody turned away for lack of funds (100% of proceeds to UP):
$0 for any and all people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, poverty
$5 for students
$5-$20+ everybody else (if you have a stable income and/or know where your next meal is coming from, this is you!)

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Berea College Center for Excellence in Learning through Service (CELTS)

Address

1315 Gabbardtown Road
Berea, KY
40403

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 3pm - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 2pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

Telephone

+18599860087

Website

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