04/15/2025
Baptist Health Contributes $100,000 to Support Paducah Cooperative Ministry’s Expansion in Response to Rising Community Needs
Paducah, KY –
As Paducah faces a sharp rise in homelessness and food insecurity, Paducah Cooperative Ministry (PCM) is taking bold action to meet the growing need. PCM is expanding its programs with the development of a new 50-bed emergency shelter and a client-choice food pantry—and today, the organization is proud to announce a $100,000 contribution from Baptist Health Paducah in support of this critical expansion.
For more than 50 years, PCM has been a lifeline for individuals and families in crisis, offering temporary housing, food assistance, and compassionate care. But with demand for services increasing dramatically across the region, PCM is scaling up to ensure every neighbor in need has access to stability, safety, and support.
“Baptist Health Paducah is honored to partner with Paducah Cooperative Ministry to help meet the needs of our community by supporting to creation of an emergency shelter and larger food pantry, “ said Kenny Boyd, President, Baptist Health Paducah. “The well-being of our community depends not only on medical care but also on access to essential resources like shelter and food. We believe in PCM’s mission and are proud to invest in this much-needed expansion to serve those who need it most.”
The new 50-bed shelter will offer a safe haven for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, while the client-choice pantry will empower clients to select the foods that best meet their health and cultural needs—promoting not just nutrition, but dignity and self-determination.
“The need in our community is real—and it’s growing,” said Lacy Boling, Executive Director of PCM. “We’re seeing more people than ever before facing housing instability and food insecurity. This expansion is our response, and thanks to Baptist Health’s generous support and many generous donors, we’re making it a reality.”
Baptist Health’s contribution reflects a shared commitment to improving the overall health and flourishing of Paducah and McCraken county—recognizing that secure housing and adequate nutrition are essential components of individual and community wellness.
To learn more about PCM’s programs or contribute to its efforts, visit sharepcm.org.
About Paducah Cooperative Ministry:
Paducah Cooperative Ministry is a faith-based nonprofit working to respond with compassion to the basic needs of people in crisis throughout Paducah and McCracken County. Since 1973, PCM has provided shelter, food support, and housing assistance to thousands in need.
About Baptist Health Paducah
Baptist Health Paducah is a regional medical and referral center serving about 200,000 patients a year from four states. With more than 1,300 employees and 364 physicians, it offers more than 40 points of care with a full range of services, including cardiac and cancer care, diagnostic imaging, women’s and children’s services, surgery, emergency treatment, rehabilitation, and more. It has the region’s first heart center and only accredited chest pain center and certified stroke center with 24/7 neurohospitalist coverage, as well as Paducah’s only comprehensive cancer center and Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Baptist Health Paducah has a network of healthcare providers for patients in western Kentucky and southern Illinois — from Baptist Health Medical Group physician offices to Baptist Health Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine locations.
The hospital is also designated Pathway to Excellence® for excellence in nursing services by the American Nursing Credentialing Center. It opened in 1953 as Western Baptist Hospital and changed its name in early 2013, along with other facilities in Baptist Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in Kentucky.
# # #
