FEED Evansville Seeks $20K Grant for CK Newsom Community Kitchen Operations

The Evansville City Council's Finance Committee meeting on June 23, 2025, focused on funding allocations for local food assistance programs. Key discussions highlighted the ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity in the community.

During the meeting, representatives from various organizations presented their funding requests. Lisa Vaughn, acting executive director of FEED Evansville, requested an increase in funding for the CK Newsom Community Kitchen. Vaughn explained that the organization initially sought nearly $103,000 for equipment, staffing, and publicity but was grateful for the mayor's suggested allocation of $15,000. She urged the committee to consider raising this amount to $20,000 to support hiring a kitchen coordinator, which is crucial for the kitchen's continued operation.

Vaughn emphasized the kitchen's significant role in addressing food insecurity, noting that it has been operating at full capacity since its opening. The facility has been instrumental in providing meals during emergencies and has hosted numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the week. Without a dedicated staff member, Vaughn warned that reliance on volunteers could jeopardize the kitchen's availability and effectiveness.

The meeting also featured Roshanda Bonds, director of corporate affairs at CAPE, who expressed gratitude for previous allocations and confirmed acceptance of the funding. The discussions underscored the importance of sustained financial support for local initiatives aimed at alleviating food insecurity in Evansville.

As the committee considers these requests, the outcomes will play a critical role in ensuring that essential services remain available to families in need. The next steps will involve further deliberation on the proposed funding increases and their potential impact on the community's food assistance efforts.