FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 11, 2019) - Secretary Grimes, along with Representatives Marzian, Kilkarni and Jenkins, met with 43 girl scouts and 24 troop leaders/parent chaperones from Louisville and Owensboro in the Capitol Rotunda for the 3rd annual Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl with Feeding Kentucky and the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana.
The Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana serves approximately 14,000 girl members in 64 counties in western Kentucky and southern Indiana. Their motto is “There is power in every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader)!” Founded over 100 years ago by Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, their mission is: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
"To see so many engaged young ladies here to solve hunger feeds my spirit," said Grimes. "The Future is Female and I have no doubt that The Commonwealth is in good hands with this group of empowered Girl Scouts."
The 3rd annual Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl is a friendly competition among Girl Scout troops across the state to collect food for hunger relief. It is a collaborative effort between the office of Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana and Feeding Kentucky.
"I am thrilled to welcome so many bright, young ladies to the Capitol today," Rep. Kilkarni said. "As a Girl Scout, I learned so much about building courage, confidence and character in myself and others. I challenge you to stay civically engaged and run for elected office yourself one day!"
The 2019 campaign runs from October 18, 2019 – November 1, 2019. The goal is to raise at least 50,000 pounds of food. 1st Place Regional Awards will be presented to Girl Scout troops by Program and Learning Centers (PLCs) and Cluster locations across the state. The Grand Champion will be the troop with highest average pound per troop member and will take home the Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl trophy.
"It seems like just yesterday that I, as a Girl Scout, attended Camp Shanituck," Rep. Marzian said. "Now my daughter is a troop leader and granddaughter a Girl Scout. I'm so proud -- you girls are our future. I can't wait to see what you as young leaders will do fighting hunger here in Kentucky."
Last year for the 2nd annual campaign, Secretary Grimes partnered with the Kentucky Association of Counties and 71,423 pounds were collected which fed 721 people served by Feeding Kentucky for an entire year or 59,519 meals.
Grimes has long been an advocate of hunger relief programs in Kentucky, and has supported the Kentucky Association of Food Banks’ programs.