Paducah Cooperative Ministry Marks Major Milestone in $3.25 Million Campaign to Expand Shelter and Food Services
Paducah, KY — October 19, 2025 — Paducah Cooperative Ministry (PCM) today announced it has surpassed the halfway mark in its $3.25 million capital campaign to expand emergency shelter capacity and strengthen the local response to rising housing and food insecurity across Paducah and McCracken County.
With $1.76 million in confirmed commitments, PCM is more than halfway toward fully funding its expansion project. Renovations will begin by year end with an anticipated opening of the new facilities by June 2026.
Community Momentum and Broad-Based Support
Momentum continues to build as partners across the local, civic, and faith communities step forward to invest in PCM’s vision for a stronger, more compassionate Paducah.
Recent gifts include generous commitments from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Paducah Bank. PCM also expresses deep appreciation for the McCracken County Fiscal Court’s consideration of a $200,000 investment, which would mark an important partnership and show of unity in addressing the region’s most pressing needs.
“The Church seeks to collaborate with organizations that are already making significant contributions within the community in alignment with the Savior’s directive to ‘love God and to love our neighbors,’” stated Randy Balmforth, Paducah Kentucky Stake President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We recognize the Paducah Cooperative Ministry’s (PCM) commitment to these principles by providing essential emergency shelter for those in need. The Church appreciates the opportunity to work alongside PCM in supporting their efforts to create an emergency overnight accommodation for individuals requiring assistance.”
Meeting Urgent and Growing Needs
Homelessness in Kentucky increased over 10% for the second consecutive year and PCM continues to receive more than 120 shelter requests each month that it cannot accommodate due to limited space. The organization’s food pantry now serves 59 new families each month, reflecting unprecedented community need.
The new shelter will provide 48 beds, more than doubling current capacity, and is projected to serve approximately 300 unique individuals annually. Guests will stay an average of up to seven consecutive nights, while PCM staff connect them to stable housing, employment, and food resources.
Collaboration at the Core
Collaboration remains central to PCM’s mission. The new shelter will serve as a hub for coordinated care, with partners including Paducah Goodwill Opportunity Center, Community
Kitchen, KentuckyCare, Starfish Orphan Ministry, and others to provide wraparound support tailored to each guest’s needs.
“This project represents our community’s collective resolve to ensure that no one is left without shelter, food, or hope,” said Lacy Boling, Executive Director of PCM. “Every contribution, from civic leaders and faith communities to individual donors, brings us closer to opening a much-needed shelter and enhanced food pantry that will restore dignity and stability for hundreds of our neighbors each year.
Looking Ahead: A First-of-Its-Kind Facility
PCM’s new shelter will be the first in McCracken County designed to welcome men, women, and children in one location, addressing a critical gap in local shelter services. The project will also include a client-choice food pantry, offering a dignified, grocery-style experience for families in need.
“This expansion isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about building pathways out of crisis,” said Mike and Caroline Cappock, supporters of the project. “Together, we’re ensuring that every person who walks through PCM’s doors has access to safety, nourishment, and a plan for lasting stability.”
By expanding shelter, pantry, and resource navigation services, PCM will significantly increase its capacity and reach, ensuring a more coordinated, responsive and dignified experience for those it serves.
About Paducah Cooperative Ministry
Founded in 1973, the Paducah Cooperative Ministry works to do God’s work with human hands, serving those in need through shelter, food assistance, and supportive services. PCM unites faith-based, civic, and community partners to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness in Paducah and McCracken County.
For more information or to support PCM’s capital campaign, visit https://sharepcm.org/ or contact Alyssa Brookes, Financial Coordinator, 270-442-6795, alyssaa@sharepcm.org
