The Mayfield Enrichment Center has spent the past month quietly stepping in to support families struggling with the effects of the recent federal shutdown—providing emergency food assistance, holiday meals, and plans to help even more residents as Christmas approaches.
With help from the Kentucky Association of Health Plans, the center provided food to families who reached out during the shutdown. They also contributed to a birthday donation made by Shantaye Francis—adding to her gift by delivering additional food items to the Mayfield–Graves County Need Line and Food Pantry. In several cases, when families simply needed a quick meal, the center purchased pizzas to make sure no one went hungry that night.
For Thanksgiving, the Enrichment Center provided complete meals for 18 families. Of those, five were elderly households, seven were families directly affected by the government shutdown, and six were local families facing hardship who may not qualify for other assistance programs. “All have been extremely gracious,” the center shared, thanking Heartland Capital Investments, LLC for helping make the support possible.
Due to the recent increase in need, the center announced it will postpone its “Change the Narrative” event until after the holidays. The program—which highlights local youth who are making a positive impact—will still take place, and families of selected youth will be contacted by December 1.
In place of the event, the center will focus on matching families with donors for holiday “adoptions,” working alongside local churches and organizations, including Mayfield First United Methodist Church. Community members who wish to adopt a child or family—or donate—are encouraged to contact the center. They also ask that anyone already receiving support from another program allow others the opportunity to receive help as well.
“We are not always loud — but we are always serving,” the center shared, closing their message with words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.’
