More than 750,000 Kentuckians, or 17% of the state’s population, do not always know where their next meal will come from. Close to one in four of Kentucky’s children lack consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active lifestyle. Paducah Bank would like to change that.

“Last year, we began a partnership with our customers to support our commitment to the needs of the community,” said Mardie Herndon, Paducah Bank president. “Our Swipe and Serve project allows our customers to help us help those who are hungry in our city and county. With each signature-based debit card transaction that our customers make, we set aside a contribution to a local organization that helps feed the hungry. So every time customers swiped their debit cards for a signature-based purchase, they were supporting the need for food for families in Paducah.”

The bank’s goal was to raise approximately $7,500 each quarter which would be donated to one of four selected organizations. That goal has been consistently surpassed each quarter in 2014 and 2015. The organizations which have benefited from the program since it's inception are the Paducah/McCracken County Senior Center, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, River City Mission, Community Kitchen, and the 4-H Food Backpack program.

“The project has been such a resounding success that we are going to extend it into 2016,” said Susan Guess, Vice President of Marketing at Paducah Bank. “In 2014 we contributed more than $31,000 to four organizations. We are on track to achieve the same level of giving this year as well.”

So, once again the bank is seeking applications from local charitable groups who are committed to feeding the hungry in Paducah and McCracken County. If your group would like to be a Swipe and Serve recipient, please email a profile of your group to [email protected] by December 1. We will be selecting four recipients for 2016, and those who were selected for 2015 are eligible to reapply.