(Leitchfield, KY) – Hunger is a battle that is fought daily in Grayson County by the Grayson County Alliance, and at its helm is Executive Director Debbie Childress. A transplant from Breckinridge County, Childress moved to Grayson County after marriage and has made her mark through her work to combat poverty and help alleviate it’s clenches on the people of Grayson County.
Childress, who also works with women through her church at Cross Point in Leitchfield, has made her mark in the community through her unique fundraising quests to help fund the GC Alliance food pantry, and the expansion and vision of the GC Alliance to grow to have a community classroom. Childress has shared many times with the community that the GC Alliance isn’t just a food pantry but a place to create solutions to the problems of poverty. The VITA tax service operates through the GC Alliance, the Grayson County Extension Office, United Way of Central KY, the Grayson County Health Department, and other local partners host various classes for the families who utilize the food distribution services of the GC Alliance.
During the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday, Board of Directors President Misty Thomas presented Childress with her Kentucky Colonel certificate. “The commission of Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. It is recognition of an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to our community, state, and nation,” according to the Kentucky Colonels website. Childress was nominated by Thomas, who said, “I’ve seen a lot of people volunteer and work to help their community, but seeing Debbie work tirelessly every day, turning this combat against hunger into her career, is inspiring. Debbie is a true asset to our community, and the families who struggle with poverty are lucky to live where there is a Debbie Childress – full of compassion – to fight the good fight on their behalf.”
By: Misty Thomas
