A Commitment to Excellence

As our region has faced a series of challenges in recent years, Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) has seen an increase in basic needs from children, their families, and seniors. CAP’s Operation Sharing program strives to deliver essential items to the people who need it most across our region. In recent years, the program continued to set record-breaking numbers, and FY24 was no different. This year, the program received and distributed 1,260 truckloads of gift-in-kind (GIK) products valued at $184 million.

“FY24 became our largest year to date, breaking every record we’ve ever set before,” said Ben Ridner, manager of CAP's Operation Sharing program in Corbin. “We don’t set out to break our records each year, but we are encouraged to see the success of our program. We give glory to God for guiding our work and for the many hands that are a part of our mission.”

This fiscal year, Operation Sharing saw an increase in GIK donors and recipient partners who receive GIK products from the program and distribute them to people in need in communities across the region. Operation Sharing partners with a network of 1,500 nonprofits, schools, churches, and community-based agencies in all 13 Appalachian states, as well as two Ozark states, Arkansas and Missouri.

“We cannot do what we do without our generous donors and partners as well as our dedicated employees,” said Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP’s Operation Sharing program in Paintsville. “We strive to work efficiently in our day-to-day operations to uphold our longstanding commitment to our donors while also maintaining a standard with our partners to ensure each GIK item helps people in need.”

A highlight of FY24 was the expansion of Operation Sharing’s summer toy distributions made possible through an ongoing partnership with Good360 and Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. While distributions typically take place across Eastern Kentucky, this year, Operation Sharing traveled to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and St. Albans, West Virginia, to host distributions through partner agencies in those areas. See more about the distributions on page 4.

Part of Operation Sharing’s efforts in FY24 included continued disaster recovery support to Eastern Kentucky communities impacted by the 2022 floods. While truckloads following the disaster contained essential items to meet immediate needs, today’s loads also include building supplies, furniture, and small household items to help families get back on their feet.

“Six months after a disaster happens the needs of people and the communities impacted fall out of the news cycle and are often forgotten about. Operation Sharing is there for the long haul,” Ridner said. “We typically support communities impacted by disaster for three years. We continue to supply product to communities in Eastern Kentucky, and as we start our new fiscal year, we are sending critical supplies to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. We look forward to being able to continue helping our neighbors in need.”

Looking toward the next fiscal year, Operation Sharing aims to continue the expansion of its donor and partner network. The program also continues plans and discussions to establish additional satellite hubs in the region, which will allow Operation Sharing to bring product closer to partners rather than them driving to Paintsville or Corbin to receive it. During FY24, the first satellite hub, established in Clay County in 2022, expanded into a larger facility to accommodate more product from Operation Sharing because of the increase of partners who now utilize the facility.

“Whether it’s our donors who donate generous funds, donors supplying GIK, our partners, or whoever it is, every person makes our mission possible,” Ridner said. “It is clear we all have the same heart for helping people in need.”

“It takes all of us to make a difference,” Thoms added.