Robert Kirk, a Kentucky beef producer, approached Life in Christ pastor Chris McDonald with the idea of donating beef from cull cows to families in need in their community.

When McDonald’s mother-in-law told him about people her age who were living on a fixed income and having to choose between buying groceries or medication, they decided they would focus their efforts on these at-risk senior citizens.

In early 2011, they presented the idea to the Life in Christ congregation, and the Hand Up Food Ministry was born. In their first year of operation, over 50 farmers donated cattle to the Hand Up Food Ministry, providing over 6,000 lbs. of ground beef to local seniors.

With the help of donations from local grocery stores, the ministry distributes 120 food boxes each month to local seniors in need. Along with ground beef, these boxes include nonperishables such as pasta, bread and canned goods; and toiletry items such as toilet paper, tissues, shampoo and laundry detergent.

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