BCTC Receives $20,000 United Way of the Bluegrass Community Impact Award to Address Student Food Insecurity

Published on Oct 14, 2026

LEXINGTON, KY — Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) has received a $20,000 Safety Net Funding Community Impact Award from United Way of the Bluegrass to strengthen the college’s HEART food pantry and expand resources for students experiencing food insecurity.

The award will support BCTC’s “Changing Lives in the Heart of the Bluegrass” project, an initiative designed to reduce barriers that can interfere with students’ ability to remain focused on their education and achieve their academic goals.

“Student success extends well beyond what happens in the classroom,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, Chancellor of Bluegrass Community and Technical College. 

“When students are worried about where their next meal will come from, it becomes much more difficult to focus on an exam, complete an assignment or persist toward a credential. We are incredibly grateful to United Way of the Bluegrass for investing in our students and helping BCTC remove food insecurity as a barrier to their success. This award allows us to provide meaningful support so our students can focus on learning, achieving their goals and building a better life.”

The funding will allow the Heart of the Bluegrass food pantry, located at BCTC’s Newtown Campus in Fayette County, to increase the number of students it serves to at least 350 within one year. The grant period runs from September 21, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The pantry is located in Lexington but provides services for all six campus locations.

Grant funds will be used to keep the pantry stocked with essential food, hygiene and cleaning supplies throughout the year. The funding will also support the purchase of additional shelving and freezer storage, increasing the pantry’s capacity to offer a wider variety of items.

A key component of the project will be expanding access to healthier food choices, including fresh fruits and vegetables. New equipment will allow pantry staff to clean and package produce, extending its shelf life while making nutritious options more convenient for students to receive and transport.

“We know that students cannot fully engage in their education when their basic needs are not being met,” said Dr. Kauai Thurman, Associate Dean of Student Success Services at BCTC and principal investigator for the project. “Our goal is not simply to provide more food, but to provide students with greater access to nutritious, healthier choices that support their overall well-being. This funding gives us the opportunity to expand what we offer, serve more students and make those resources easier to access. Meeting these fundamental needs is an important part of helping our students persist and succeed.”

The project will also strengthen outreach and awareness efforts to ensure more students know assistance is available. Promotional and informational materials will be expanded to include languages commonly spoken by BCTC students, including Spanish and Swahili, helping reduce language barriers and make pantry services more accessible.

The Heart of the Bluegrass food pantry is part of BCTC’s broader commitment to supporting the whole student by connecting students with resources that address basic needs and help remove obstacles to completing their education.

Through the Safety Net Funding Community Impact Award, United Way of the Bluegrass is helping BCTC strengthen that safety net and ensure students have access to essential resources when they need them most.

For more information about the HEART, please click here or contact Kauai.thurman@kctcs.edu.