Louisville food pantry reports 43% jump in holiday aid requests

A Louisville food pantry is running low on protein and asking the public for donations as holiday demand spikes.

Hope Southern Indiana currently supports nearly 3,000 families every month. During a recent visit, staff noted that while general shelves appeared full, chicken and other meat products were scarce. The organization reported a 43.5% increase in families served through its Spirit of the Season program between 2024 and 2025. Calls regarding the program began arriving in late August and early September.

Eddie Bobbitt, the director of development, said the organization is facing an "alarming increase of need." He noted that food is currently the biggest gap in supply. Bobbitt, a high school counselor and nonprofit studies professor at the University of Louisville, previously led Camp Quality Kentuckiana. He also said the pantry helped his own family in the past. "I spent a lot of time in this building," Bobbitt said. "And it was one of the reasons that I wanted to get involved with HOPE, because I know the impact that this organization has on families, because it impacted mine."

The pantry has been adjusting to reductions in federal funding over the last several months. To cope, staff are collaborating with other local nonprofits. Bobbitt stated that the groups are "leaning into each other's strengths" to address the financial strain. He added that working together has become essential due to ongoing funding cuts and difficulties in raising private donations.

The organization says it requires more supplies as the holiday season approaches. Residents can find details on how to contribute on the Hope Southern Indiana website.