2025 Annual Impact Report: How Paducah Cooperative Ministry Served our Community Last Year

By Paducah Cooperative Ministry | Paducah, Kentucky | sharepcm.org 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR 2025 ANNUAL REPORT

What Is Paducah Cooperative Ministry?

Paducah Cooperative Ministry (PCM) is a faith-based nonprofit organization located at 402 Legion Drive in Paducah, Kentucky. Founded in 1973, PCM serves individuals and families experiencing hunger, homelessness, and housing instability in Paducah, McCracken County, and across Western Kentucky. Its core programs include a community food pantry, transitional housing for women and women with children through Fresh Start Village, and homelessness prevention services such as rental and utility assistance. PCM’s guiding mission: GOD’S WORK. human hands.

A Year of Growing Need — and Growing Response

In 2025, the need for food, shelter, and stability services in Paducah and McCracken County didn’t slow down — it grew. Shelter inquiries rose from 74 per month in 2024 to 120 per month in 2025 — a 62% increase reflecting the scale of challenges facing families across Western Kentucky driven by rising housing costs, food insecurity, and economic uncertainty.

PCM responded by deepening every program, strengthening community partnerships, and launching its most ambitious capital campaign in the organization’s history.

Here is a full account of what was accomplished in 2025.

Feeding Families Across Paducah and McCracken County

Question people ask: Where can I get food assistance in Paducah, KY?

PCM’s food pantry at 402 Legion Drive, Paducah, KY 42003 is one of the primary food assistance resources in McCracken County. In 2025, as donated goods declined and supply costs increased, PCM strengthened food sourcing partnerships and stewarded resources carefully to keep shelves stocked and families fed.

2025 Food Pantry Impact:

• 4,782 bags of groceries distributed to Paducah-area neighbors
• 2,189 families served through PCM’s food pantry in McCracken County
• 769 new families received food assistance for the first time in 2025

These numbers represent neighbors in Paducah and the surrounding Western Kentucky region who had reliable access to nutritious food because of community generosity.

Fresh Start Village: Transitional Shelter in Paducah, Kentucky

Question people ask: Is there an emergency homeless shelter in Paducah, KY?

Fresh Start Village is Paducah Cooperative Ministry’s transitional housing program. It serves women and women with children experiencing homelessness in Paducah and across Western Kentucky, providing not just a safe place to sleep but trauma-informed case management and connection to community resources.

2025 Fresh Start Village Impact:

• 157 individuals served — 91 women and 66 children
• 79% of guests came from Western Kentucky
• 52% were experiencing homelessness for the first time
• 19,715 individual nights of shelter provided in Paducah
• Average length of stay: 126 days
• 97% of guests exited Fresh Start Village with sustainable income
• 68% exited with their own housing secured

A 126-day average stay is significant — it reflects PCM’s commitment to more than emergency response. Residents are supported with case management, skills development, and community connections needed for lasting stability.

“I never thought I’d have my own place, but they didn’t give up on me.” — Crystal, PCM resident

Preventing Homelessness Before It Happens in McCracken County

Question people ask: Does PCM help with rent or utility assistance in Paducah, KY?

Yes. In 2025, PCM shifted its prevention services to focus exclusively on individuals with a personal history of homelessness — those at highest risk of falling into crisis again. By intervening early around rental and utility instability, PCM kept families in McCracken County housed.

2025 Prevention Services:

• 308 rent and utility payments made on behalf of Paducah-area neighbors
• 40 vital documents replaced, helping individuals access services and housing

One family’s experience: after their landlord moved to double the rent while the family was living paycheck to paycheck, PCM helped cover half of the deposit on a new apartment. “My family was able to avoid homelessness and find stable housing,” they wrote. “We cannot begin to express our heartfelt gratitude.”

Community Support Across Paducah: The Numbers

PCM’s work is powered by thousands of individuals, businesses, congregations, and civic groups across Paducah and McCracken County.

• Over 550 donors contributed to PCM in 2025
• 7,858 volunteer hours served by Paducah-area residents and groups
• Over 50 local businesses and organizations stepped in with food and financial donations when SNAP was paused
• Annual Moonlight Ride raised over $27,000 with 274 riders, volunteers, and sponsors

Schools, congregations, and civic organizations across McCracken County and Western Kentucky hosted independent food drives and fundraisers on PCM’s behalf — reflecting a community-wide commitment to caring for neighbors.

Capital Campaign: $3.25 Million Raised for a New Paducah Shelter and Food Pantry

Question people ask: Is Paducah getting a new food pantry or homeless shelter?

Yes. In April 2025, PCM publicly launched a capital campaign to build two first-of-their-kind facilities in Paducah and McCracken County: a client-choice food pantry and a year-round emergency shelter. In just 11 months, the Paducah community raised over $3 million toward a $3.25 million goal. The goal was completed in May of 2026.

What is being built:

• A client-choice food pantry where neighbors select groceries that fit their household needs and cultural preferences — restoring dignity and autonomy to the food assistance experience
• An expanded emergency shelter with 48 semi-private beds for men, women, and children in crisis that is open year-round with staff

Construction began in late 2025. Both facilities are expected to open in late 2026 – early 2027, making Paducah a model for dignified, effective community care.

“It is truly doing God’s work with human hands.” — Jeane and Joe Framptom, Capital Campaign donors

Financial Transparency: How PCM Manages Your Donations

Question people ask: How does Paducah Cooperative Ministry use its funding?

PCM is committed to responsible stewardship of every dollar contributed by donors, foundations, and community partners in the Paducah area.

2025 Financial Summary:

General Operating Revenue by source: Individuals (39%), Local Grants (38%), Congregations (11%), Groups (9%)

Operating Expenses by category: Payroll (48.5%), Program Services (28.2%), General/Administrative/Fundraising (10.7%), Depreciation (9.7%)

PCM reduced overall operating expenses by 16% in 2025, ensuring that more community resources go directly to serving neighbors in Paducah and McCracken County.

Looking Ahead: PCM’s Plans for Paducah in 2026

As PCM prepares to open expanded facilities in 2026, the organization’s priorities for the Paducah community include:

• Opening the new client-choice food pantry and 48-bed emergency shelter in Paducah, KY
• Creating one-stop access to mental health counseling, primary healthcare, and employment services through co-located nonprofit partnerships
• Expanding the Resident Advisory Council so PCM/Fresh Start Village residents have direct input into program design
• Scaling the Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World curriculum to equip more Western Kentucky residents with tools for long-term self-sufficiency
• Continuing Bridges Out of Poverty training for community leaders and partner organizations across Paducah and McCracken County
• Supporting the Leadership Paducah Class #39 Project to renovate the Fresh Start Village Welcome Center

Frequently Asked Questions About Paducah Cooperative Ministry

• What is Paducah Cooperative Ministry? Paducah Cooperative Ministry (PCM) is a faith-based nonprofit organization in Paducah, Kentucky that has served neighbors facing hunger, homelessness, and housing instability since 1973. It operates a food pantry, the Fresh Start Village transitional shelter, and homelessness prevention programs for residents of McCracken County and Western Kentucky.
• Where is Paducah Cooperative Ministry located? PCM is located at 402 Legion Drive, Paducah, KY 42003. You can reach PCM at 270.442.6795 or pcm@sharepcm.org
• How many people did PCM serve in 2025? In 2025, PCM served 157 individuals through Fresh Start Village (transitional shelter), 2,189 families through its food pantry, and made 308 rent and utility payments to prevent homelessness — all in the Paducah and McCracken County area.
• Does Paducah have a food pantry? Yes. Paducah Cooperative Ministry operates a food pantry at 402 Legion Drive, Paducah, KY 42003, serving 800-900 families monthly in McCracken County and the broader Western Kentucky region. In 2025, PCM distributed 4,782 bags of groceries and served 2,189 families.
• Does Paducah have an emergency homeless shelter? Not yet, but soon. PCM’s Fresh Start Village is a transitional shelter serving women and women with children. PCM is also building a new, expanded 48-bed shelter set to open in 2026-2027.
• How can I donate to Paducah Cooperative Ministry? Donate online at sharepcm.org/donate or mail a check to 402 Legion Dr., Paducah, KY 42003.
• How can I volunteer with PCM in Paducah? Visit sharepcm.org to explore current volunteer opportunities or email william@sharepcm.org to sign up directly. In 2025, PCM volunteers contributed 7,858 hours of service across food pantry operations, shelter support, and community events.

Help Us Keep Serving Paducah and McCracken County

Paducah Cooperative Ministry’s work is made possible by the neighbors, donors, volunteers, and organizations who choose to invest in the people around them. Whether you can give $10 or $10,000, volunteer an afternoon, or simply spread the word — you are part of what makes this mission possible.

Give online: sharepcm.org/donate Volunteer: william@sharepcm.org Stay connected: Subscribe at sharepcm.org/newsletter | Follow @paducah.cooperativeministy on Facebook Contact: 402 Legion Dr., Paducah, KY 42003 | 270.442.6795 | pcm@sharepcm.org

Together, we are making Paducah a place where no one has to face hardship alone. GOD’S WORK. human hands.