LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) - After 49 years, they still come. People gather in west Louisville to light candles, sing songs, and walk to the site of the former home of Bobby Ellis, the 9-year-old boy who died of malnutrition on the eve of Thanksgiving in 1969.
"This boy ... 9 years old, 1969, he died because he did not get the basic necessity of life which is food," Joshua Berry said. Berry attended a vigil for Ellis Sunday evening with his mother.
Ellis was found dead in bed with his five sisters, weighing just over 20 pounds. The 9-year-old died of malnutrition. His death sent shock waves through the Louisville community and was a catalyst for change.
"Bobby's death was tragic for all the reasons you might imagine, but it was also remarkable in that it sparked a movement in this community," Brian Riendeau said.
Riendeau is the executive director of the Dare to Care Food Bank, the organization community leaders joined together to create after Ellis' tragic death.
It started with one goal: to make sure no child will ever die of malnutrition in Louisville again.
"Since 1969, in fact, what happened to Bobby has not happened again," Riendeau said.
Sunday evening's event was a reflection of the terrible tragedy and the good that's come out of it. This year, Dare to Care will provide enough food for nearly 20 million meals.
"Our work isn't done," Riendeau said. "Today there is over 170,000 food insecure individuals in our community."
At one point, Berry and his family were part of that statistic.
"Dare to Care helped us a lot," he said. "Helped me keep this belly right here and overall make sure our well-being was sustained."
They no longer depend on the food bank but are firm believers in its purpose.
"So many people believe that programs like this they help people stay dependent, but they actually help people rise up," Berry said.
Ensuring that no man, woman, or child have to suffer like Bobby did. To learn more about food insecurity in our community and how you can help, click here.
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