Be Concerned, NKY’s largest free food program, gears up for winter

Be Concerned is the largest choice pantry in Northern Kentucky, serving about 1,000 families a month. Started in 1968, it was originally known as the Christmas Store and its purpose was to help families in need by providing them with food and toys.

Today, Be Concerned is the largest free food program in Northern Kentucky. It has two locations: one in Covington at 1100 Pike St. and one in Erlanger at 525 Graves St. With the help of 548 new volunteers, the charity set service records in 2020 during COVID-19 when it helped 6,746 people who were affected by the outbreak. Having served about 1,400 people just during September of this year, the agency is still in full swing even in a post-pandemic world.

Be Concerned is more than a food pantry—it’s also a thrift store. “We have a social enterprise thrift store. We sell donations for a really cheap amount, but we do provide vouchers for families that can’t afford it,” says Andy Brunsman, who has been the executive director at Be Concerned for nine years. “If you don’t have any money, ‘cheap’ is still too expensive… We voucher thousands and thousands of dollars’ worth of clothing and household items and necessities every month.”

The charity is expanding its pantry to include more than just food. “During the holidays we always make sure that we have health and hygiene products for families to make sure they have stuff to keep their houses and themselves clean,” says Brunsman.

Be Concerned also hosts a food drive every November called Stuff the Bus. A Christmas-themed bus is parked outside of Remke’s Crescent Springs store and is stuffed with food donated by the shoppers. Over 3,000 pounds of food has been collected in the past two years by Stuff the Bus.

While the organization has grown, Be Concerned has not forgotten its history. The agency turns back into the Christmas Store every holiday season. “We put the toys up for families to select in December,” says Brunsman. Gloves, hats, and scarves are available around this time as well.

Be Concerned is actively seeking volunteers, so if you would like to get involved check out the organization’s website at beconcerned.org