Berea Food Bank - BUURR - Frank Gailey Transient/Emergency Assistance Fund

06/13/2026

The 5

Two years ago, Tanya, Janet, Peggy, Judy, and Virginia (l to r pictured here with Mayor Fraley) were honored with the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Gold Medal--the highest volunteer award in the country.

Today, they continue to lead, train, and inspire everyone at the food bank. Like clockwork--if we're open at least one of them is there. When we're closed they lead behind-the-scenes preparation that makes our Client Service Days run smoothly.

"The 5" trained me nearly a decade ago and I still rely on their wisdom and counsel every single day. They are our heartbeat, our spirit, and the practical day-to-day leaders of Berea Food Bank.

I'm honored to call them colleagues and friends --Tony Crachiolo

06/11/2026

Side by Side

I'm so proud to work with these people! The Delivery Day Crew stocked in over 4 tons of good groceries today plus about 500 pounds of fresh produce. Double our usual order!

Teenagers to elders all working side by side to make a better Berea for our neighbors in need--it was an awesome day to witness.

Special thanks to logistics managers Rhonda Douglas Cardwell and Maureen Spencer for figuring out the best way to store everything.
--Tony Crachiolo

People over Paperwork. Warm Welcome. A different kind of Pantry.

06/07/2026

We provide a special food box for Seniors to last about 10 days because nobody should have to choose between taking all their medicine and going hungry.

People over Paperwork. Warm Welcome. A different kind of pantry.

05/30/2026

Berea Kids Eat
This wonderful program provides a free, healthy lunch for school kids in Summer and it's run by friendly, fun people who really care. Check it out! And tell your friends with kids!

Berea area families in need of additional food assistance are welcome at Berea Food Bank.

People over Paperwork. Warm Welcome. A different kind of Pantry.

05/25/2026

Blazing A Trail

People over Paperwork.
We believe that everyone deserves enough to eat. So, we approve every applicant in our service area for immediate assistance. Period.

Warm Welcome.
We believe in expressing Universal Love. Our volunteers are committed to serving not only the nutritional needs of clients but are also dedicated to making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and loved.

A Balanced Diet.
We believe food should be plentiful and good for you. So every Berea Food Bank client recieves no less than a week of nutritionally balanced groceries customized to their family size and designed to support a healthy diet.

Food insecurity researchers tell us that we're unique--blazing a trail others should follow. We can't imagine doing things any other way.

People over Paperwork. Warm Welcome. A different kind of pantry.

05/22/2026

In remembrance and honor of fallen servicemen and women...

05/16/2026

THIS is Berea

Our friends at Berea Postal Service collected over 2,700 pounds of food donated by generous Bereans during their annual food drive--a new record!

Our Delivery Day Crew, lead by James C. Kniskern, loaded hundreds of bags and bins of groceries into their trucks, vans, and SUVs for transport from the Post Office to the food bank. After the short drive they loaded it all inside our store room.

Then Peggy Robert's Sorting Crew's experienced hands took over to check, sort, and stock in everything--making quick work of it in the course of a single afternoon!

THIS is Berea--helping our neighbors in need. Our little city is special and it warms our hearts to be part of it. Thank you, Berea!

05/08/2026

Tomorrow! Help us make this the biggest food drive ever in Berea! Plan tonight to put a bag of in-date, non-perishable food near your mailbox Saturday morning and your letter carrier will collect it.

We'll sort and stock in everything you give and share it with Bereans in need!

05/07/2026

The largest food drive in America is this Saturday. To take part simply place a bag of non-perishable food near your mailbox and your letter carrier will take care of the rest.

05/02/2026

What an honor it was to talk with Tim Monroe on his podcast this week!

About Tim: he's been a Teacher, a Headmaster, a Development Director, a public radio professional, and Executive Director of an NGO. He's currently consulting to non-profit organizations, revising his first novel, and may be best known to Bereans for serving as the very first First Fellow of Berea College.

His podcast features compelling, in-depth conversations with people world-wide. If you'd like to hear about building a different kind of food bank you can listen here...

Tony Crachiolo is the volunteer Director of the Berea Kentucky Food Bank. The organization's goal is that hunger never finds a home in Berea. In ten years the food bank has more than doubled the people they reach and help. Tony and his team have flipped the food pantry paradigm in crucial ways that....