For both employees, the recent government shutdown and reduction of benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was a unique opportunity to call attention to the need. According to Dare to Care, one in eight Americans rely on SNAP benefits, including co-workers, friends and neighbors. In Jefferson County alone, SNAP has supported more than 96,000 people and 45,000+ households per month.

One food drive in November that was organized by Lawson delivered four truckloads of donations to the La Casita Center and the Chestnut Street YMCA. 

In addition, just in the month of November, various holiday initiatives were organized by athletics, the Cardinal Commuter Community, Bluegrass Student Collective, Graduate School, School of Music, School of Dentistry, College of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą and Human Development, Department of Theatre Arts, Early Learning Center, Visitor Information Centers, parking and many more.

plays a pivotal role in all these efforts bringing departments together and setting the tone for collaboration. From hosting initial planning meetings to creating outreach materials and coordinating logistics, the team’s leadership amplifies the impact and demonstrates UofL’s commitment to supporting both internal and external community members.

“Our goal was to unite the Cardinal family in a way that showed the power of working together,” said Vice President for Community Engagement Douglas Craddock. “This drive was about more than donations—it was about building connections and supporting our neighbors during a challenging time.”

Lawson said she sees how UofL lives the community of care principle. “In the current environment, people in the world are just going their separate ways, but the Cardinal community has never worked like that. We know it takes a village, we need to stay a village and continue pulling together for one another and the broader community.” 

Amanda Schweinzger, who grew up in a low-income household in Northern Kentucky, was inspired to start a drive and online fundraising campaign because she knew of people dealing with difficulty from the shutdown. “I could not just sit idly by,” she said. “I know what it’s like to struggle, what it’s like to get help from food pantries.”

Schweinzger, who started with her own department, grew the outreach from there. She decided to partner with Dare to Care, who supplies the , extending to the broader community and giving back to an organization that gives to UofL students year-round.

While physical donations are always appreciated, Dare to Care encourages monetary donations because they can fill in the gaps in what is needed most and can supply perishables such as fresh meat and produce. Every dollar donated to Dare to Care means two meals for needy families.

For her campaign, Schweinzger set up a and has already raised more than $500. Her goal is to bring in $1,000 by end of January 2026.

Schweinzger said in her experience as a student and now as an employee at UofL, she sees empathy and generosity as a common core value of the campus community. “They care about people, and the community around them, and they’re always willing to rise to the occasion.”

Mayor Greg Fischer recently made the announcement at the Gray Street Farmers Market, a collaboration between the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences and Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. He was joined by Dr. Craig Blakely, dean of the school, and Fourth District Metro Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith.

“Farmers Markets are an important way to get healthy food to our neighborhoods, particularly any areas of our city that may not have ready access to fresh produce,” the Mayor said. “They also are a great opportunity for our local and regional farmers and entrepreneurs to support their operations. They help our community thrive.”

The LFMA helps member markets increase their capacity and growth by assisting with marketing, financial advisement, and vendor and volunteer recruitment. The association receives staff support from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and Louisville Forward, along with the Kentucky Department of Public Health Community Health Action Team (CHAT) Grant.

Another benefit of the LFMA is that it will assist families who use (SNAP) benefits.

“Our weekly Gray Street Farmers Market brings fresh, nutrient-rich foods into our neighborhood and supports healthy eating — an important factor in disease prevention and overall wellness,” said Dean Blakely. “We are thankful to Metro Council District Four Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith for funding for our Dollar for Dollar program, which allows SNAP customers to double their food dollars and makes local produce more affordable.”

“I am excited about this new Louisville Farmers Market Association,” said Councilwoman Sexton Smith. “Farmers Markets like the Gray Street Farmers Market and the Phoenix Hill Farmers Market are making locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables available to many of our neighbors who don’t have a full-service grocery store.”

The Louisville Farmers Market Association also has produced the new first annual Guide to Local Food Resources. The guide maps out the city’s farmers markets, as well as other places where consumers can find local healthy foods. These include New Roots’ Fresh Stop Markets and Healthy in a Hurry Corner Stores. .