State Police Deliver Thanksgiving Meals to Hundreds in Perry County

Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard distributed prepacked turkey dinners to schools in Knott, Perry, Breathitt and Leslie counties on November 24, 2025, providing meals to several hundred families as part of an eight year tradition. The deliveries were made in partnership with Whitesburg Food City and CANE’s Kitchen. After troopers brought the dinners to schools, administrators selected which families would receive the holiday meals.

The effort is measured in immediate relief and community cooperation, officials said. Trooper Michael Burton of Kentucky State Police Post 13 described the outreach in simple terms when discussing the program and its purpose. “It’s just a way to help give back to the community here in these times to help some of the kids and families that’s less fortunate than others,” Burton said.

School leaders noted the local impact beyond a single holiday meal. Michelle Ritchie, a principal at Perry County Central High School, emphasized how food insecurity affects more students than many realize and how the seasonal pressure can compound hardship. “A lot of people struggle during this time of the year. So, that collaboration is something that could really save a kid,” Ritchie said. She added that uncertainty about support persists even after some programs have been restored. “There was the fear there for a little bit that they weren’t going to get the resources that they needed and, you know, of course some of that’s been restored, but there’s still that fear,” Ritchie said. “When we’re going to be off school, it’s really important to see them home with supplies for themselves and their families.”

Organizers and troopers called the initiative an example of local institutions working together, with donations from businesses and nonprofit kitchens making the distribution possible. “It’s just good to see the community pull together for situations like this to help other families,” Trooper Burton said.

For Perry County residents, the drive underscores the role schools play as both service providers and community hubs during breaks. The deliveries also highlight ongoing policy questions about the adequacy of food assistance and the need for durable solutions that reduce reliance on episodic charitable efforts. As winter and school closures continue, local leaders say continued coordination among law enforcement, schools, businesses and nonprofits will remain critical to meeting basic needs.