BJ's Wholesale Club partners with Dare to Care to combat hunger in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than 20% of Kentucky children face food insecurity, uncertain of where their next meal will come from.

A new partnership in Louisville’s south end is working to change that.

Tuesday, the first food shipment was delivered to Dare to Care Food Bank through a new partnership with BJ’s Wholesale Club.

The freshly opened store on Outer Loop has already begun giving back, ensuring families in need receive essential food items.

BJ’s Wholesale Club, which recently opened its first Kentucky store, is making weekly food donations to support the local food bank.

“BJ’s is really driven by a powerful purpose of taking care of the families who depend on us,” said Emily McCann, senior manager at BJ’s.

The store is donating fresh produce, meat and bakery items, which are packed and transported to Dare to Care’s warehouse just 2.5 miles away. Mohammad Yousufi, a dedicated driver for Dare to Care, plays a key role in ensuring the food reaches those in need.

“I love this job. It makes me happy always,” Yousufi shared.

Dare to Care has seen a staggering 30% increase in food demand. In the south end alone, one in four children experience food insecurity.

“It’s unfortunate that in the wealthiest country in the world, we still have people who do not have access to food,” said Vincent James, president and CEO of Dare to Care.

Local leaders see the growing need firsthand. Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin, D-2, who volunteers at a food pantry, recalls how demand has soared from 30 people to over 120.

“My community couldn’t make it without this,” Shanklin emphasized. “It’s a low-income area, and they depend on this food every week. Even after noon, people are still knocking on the door asking for food.”

To further support mobile pantries, BJ’s is also donating more than $57,000 to ensure no one in the community goes hungry.

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