Western Baptist collects nearly 15,000 pounds of food

Before Paducah Power System’s truck even pulled into the parking lot at Western Baptist Hospital this week for the “Stuff the Truck” food drive, Western Baptist Hospital employees had already collected more than 9,000 pounds of food from soft drink sales, jeans day promotions, department competitions and collection boxes.

By the time the truck pulled out 12 hours later, the community had added about 5,000 more pounds and $700 in cash – “blowing the lid off” the hospital’s goal, said marketing director Dona Rains.

“Last year, we collected 5,500 pounds of food,” she said, “so we more than doubled that when we set our ambitious goal of 12,000 pounds this year. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our employees, volunteers and the community when the total came to 14,822 pounds!”

Western Baptist employees began collecting food in August. Baptist Heart Center won the department competition with 297 pounds. “Many employees gave food instead of Christmas gifts to honor each other or their supervisors,” Rains said.

The rest was donated by the community and other local businesses. Contributors included US Bank; Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub law firm; Rotary Club of Paducah; Jackson Purchase Energy; Zebra Graphics; Holiness Church of God; Morrison Healthcare Food Service, and the hospital’s Food and Nutrition Services department.

Assisting with the drive were Ray Black & Son, Inc.; Friendship Baptist Church; and Western Baptist auxiliary, pastoral care and engineering departments.

Paducah Power hosted “Stuff the Truck” on Tuesday at Lourdes hospital and Wednesday at Western Baptist, netting 17,104 pounds overall for food pantries at The Salvation Army, Paducah Cooperative Ministry and Family Service Society.