The friends of Father Jack Jones
55 years ago Father Jack Jones, a Catholic priest in the Archdioces of Louisville, took action to fight hunger in Louisville after nine-year-old Bobby Ellis died of starvation in his downtown home.
Shocked by the reality that such a thing could happen here, Fr. Jack rallied people and organizations to pool their resources to collect and distribute food to others in need. He “dared to care,” and vowed that nothing like that would ever happen again. (His collective model later inspired the creation of the Dare To Care food bank.)
Sadly, the need persists.
The Father Jack Jones Food Pantry (FJJ) continues to fight hunger in the underserved community around Churchill Downs and Holy Name Parish. Its zip code, 40208, has one of the highest poverty rates in all of Kentucky.
FJJ has become an essential stop for neighbors facing hunger and poverty. Each week, the staff and volunteers distribute fresh vegetables, meat, and other food staples to hundreds of individuals and families who line up outside the pantry — rain or shine, hot or cold — to receive the help they need.
This eclectic collection of people has formed a special bond and built a sense of community. They’ve come to know each other, to know each other’s stories, and to appreciate that each story enriches every one of their lives in its own unique way.
These are The Friends of Father Jack Jones.
See additional statistics below.
THE NUMBERS ARE STARTLING:
13% - the food insecurity rate in Jefferson County, or 102,000 people.
22% - the food insecurity rate of children under age 18.
50,735 the number of households receiving SNAP benefits in August, 2024.
31,000 - the number of food insecure people in Louisville who don’t qualify for benefits.
OUR NUMBERS GIVE HOPE.
25,386 people provided free produce and food
168,196 pounds of food distributed
YOUR SUPPORT PROVIDES HELP.
$25 - Buys a large meat option for five families
$50 - Provides tuna for 50 unhoused clients
$100 - Offers a supplementary meat item for 80 clients (one day)
$500 – Supplies two-weeks of meat/protein to all pantry clients
* Sources: Feeding America 2022 Food Insecurity report; Greater Louisville Project;
Louisville Metro Department of Community Based Services.
Keep the Faith.
Every gift, every hour, and every act of kindness makes a difference for the people we serve. Whether you give financially, volunteer your time, or partner with us through your business, you help create hope, restore dignity, and strengthen our community.