Peggy Satterly dedicated nearly five decades of her life to serving the people of Kentucky, embodying the spirit of selfless public service that left an indelible mark on the state. It's fitting, then, that the Gateway Area Development District—an organization that mirrors her commitment to collaboration and community—has been honored with the Peggy Satterly Spirit of Kentucky Award.
Presented annually, the award celebrates a project that exemplifies the power of multiple government agencies coming together in a cost-effective, community-centered way. The Gateway Area Development District (GADD) earned this recognition for its remarkable work in expanding the Gateway Regional Kitchen and Menifee County Senior Center, a project that has had a profound impact on the lives of senior citizens across GADD's five-county service area.
"This project exemplifies teamwork and community leaders looking out for people," said Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Governor Andy Beshear. "This regional kitchen serves meals to senior citizens across five counties. This facility and these local leaders stepped up to ensure that our most vulnerable people are being cared for and that we are leaving nobody behind."
The Gateway region, comprising Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan counties, has long been committed to serving its aging population. In 2015, the Menifee County Fiscal Court partnered with GADD and local leaders to construct the Gateway Regional Kitchen and Menifee County Senior Center, with doors opening in 2016. The initial project received support from a variety of sources, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Appalachian Regional Commission, Coal Severance, and local funds. This investment created a centralized kitchen to provide congregate and home-delivered meals throughout the region.
"The project was a collaborative effort between state and local governments—and a responsible use of public dollars to invest in our aging population," said GADD Executive Director Joshua Farrow. "We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our senior center services within the Gateway region. We have worked diligently since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, under the directive of Gov. Andy Beshear, to ensure that all individuals over the age of 60 receive a meal if requested. I want to thank our staff for their hard work and vision and our Board of Directors for their support and leadership. Without them, the Senior Center's Division growth and innovative new programs would not be possible."
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges, but GADD rose to meet them. In response, the Menifee County Fiscal Court applied for a grant through the CDBG-Coronavirus Relief (CDBG-CV) program, securing $1,059,593 in funding administered by the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living for equipment and programmatic support, along with $946,000 in CDBG-CV funds for construction costs. These efforts made it possible for GADD to serve meals to an additional 860 older adults, representing a 184% increase in meal distribution from Fiscal Year 2022 to Fiscal Year 2023. Over the past two fiscal years, GADD has provided more than 250,000 meals to over 2,400 participants, with 207,000 of those meals prepared at the Gateway Regional Kitchen.
Peggy Satterly's legacy of service lives on in projects like these, where collaboration, care, and commitment come together to make a lasting difference in the lives of Kentuckians. GADD's work in expanding senior services within its region is a testament to the enduring spirit of selfless dedication that Satterly championed throughout her illustrious career.
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