Ministry founded by Sebree man honored by Governor

photo provided

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Since being founded in January of 2012, Breaking Bread Ministries has served more than 6,400 meals to people in the Madisonville, Kentucky area, with another 12,000 people receiving groceries. 

Groceries are handed out to each household based on the number of residents. The plan is to provide each member of a family with three meals per day for five days.

On July 22, 2014 Breaking Bread, along with 13 other groups and individuals from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, were honored for their volunteer and service contributions done during 2013 at a ceremony in Frankfort.

Gov. Beshear and Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Deputy Secretary Eric Friedlander presented the Governor’s Awards for Volunteerism and Service to Breaking Bread founder John McCurry, a Sebree resident, at a ceremony held at the governor’s mansion.

“I was surprised when I was told of being nominated and winning the award,” said McCurry. “I did not even know about the state awards. It is an honor to receive it, but it goes to all of our volunteers and financial supporters.”

The Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS), a division within CHFS, coordinates the annual awards program. The governor’s office launched the volunteer awards program in 1975. Since 1995, the KCCVS has administered the program.

Gov. Beshear said the event was a chance to honor the state’s leaders and innovators – volunteers and national service members – and the example they set for others.

“It’s been said that a lot of people doing a little bit can make a big difference,” he said. “You have shown that one person doing a lot, can cause a wave of change.”

Deputy Secretary Friedlander congratulated the honorees and said the awards give focus to a group that doesn’t seek out recognition for their service.

“You make such an impact on your communities with no expectation of reward,” he said. “These awards give us a chance to thank you for unselfishly serving and filling needs that sometimes even government cannot.”

A panel of independent judges with experience in volunteerism and/or service chose award recipients in 14 categories. Breaking Bread’s award was in the Faith-Based Group category for 2013.

Some 3,000 volunteers have worked with the ministry since its beginning. Local churches, restaurants, businesses and individuals have all offered a helping hand.