Teresa Cruz, founder and CEO of Fiesta of Northern Kentucky, told the Florence City Council that her Florence-based nonprofit has expanded services to meet growing needs in the area and is seeking volunteers, donations and publicity for its first major fundraiser.

Cruz said Fiesta officially opened Jan. 3, 2024, and focuses on culturally relevant food distribution, resource coordination and education and outreach. “We are the only culturally relevant food pantry in Northern Kentucky,” she said, adding that Fiesta supplies food items families know how to prepare to reduce waste and improve nutrition.

Fiesta provides emergency tote bags of rice, beans, Maseca flour and protein for newly arrived families and runs a monthly distribution event. Cruz said the nonprofit served 1,197 families through its monthly Latino food distribution last year, reached 1,438 people through outreach events, and counted 3,805 people served in 2024 across its programs. She said the food distribution has grown from 65 families to a capped 210 families per month as demand has risen.

Cruz described Fiesta’s resource-coordination work—helping families apply for rental assistance, LIHEAP and other programs—and noted partnerships with Gateway (ESL classes starting Sept. 3) and local employers. “We surveyed 144 of our clients and asked them what was the biggest barrier to employment. They said language,” she said. Cruz said Fiesta helped place eight people with L’Oreal last month through workforce connections.

Cruz also said Fiesta will launch a mental-health initiative in September and that many volunteers are themselves families who previously received services: “75% of our volunteers are families that we serve.” She gave the group the organization’s address (7536 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 8) and website (fiestanky.org).

To raise funds, Cruz asked the council to promote Fiesta’s Sept. 19, 2025, fundraiser at the Florence stadium; tickets are $40 and proceeds will support programming. The event will include food from five Latin American traditions, a salsa band and community activities, she said.

Councilmembers asked about the pantry’s location and volunteer operations; Cruz described a monthly volunteer-intensive distribution on the last Friday of each month and ongoing collection/packing work earlier in the week. She said Fiesta partners with Saint Vincent de Paul and with Turfway Park to deliver food to racetrack workers as a targeted outreach.

Cruz thanked the council for hosting her presentation and reiterated that Fiesta intends to remain based in Florence and expand local services.

The presentation was informational; no council action was taken at the meeting.