We commend Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on her bipartisan effort to help feed the state’s families who suffer from hunger.

Grimes’ office has launched the Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl, a statewide challenge for local and county governments to gather non-perishable food and monetary donations to help those in need.

Statistics show that 1-in-4 children and 1-in-5 adults in the Bluegrass do not know where their next meal will come from and an estimated 700,000 Kentuckians are food insecure.

Grimes’ goal is to raise 400,000 pounds of food and/or $50,000 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the legislation that created the Area Development Districts. The challenge runs Oct. 16 through Oct. 27.

Her office has partnered with Kentucky Association of Food Banks (KAFB), the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts (KDADD) and the Kentucky Association of Food Banks to sponsor the challenge.

By turning this effort into a competition, we believe more people will be willing to lend a hand, money or food donations.

Grimes has long been an advocate for hunger relief. As a child, she and her family served Thanksgiving dinner to the needy at the Salvation Army each November. She has also served on the board of God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington.

We also believe that by reaching across the aisle and making the competition not about politics, but about fulfilling a basic need of many Kentuckians, Grimes’ effort is to be praised.

As we roll into the holiday season, it is important to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. We should all follow Grimes’ example and give generously to those in need, because at some point we all need a hand and we are all in this together.

Perhaps Grimes summed it up best: “God gives us two hands for a reason — one to help ourselves and one to help others up.”

The State Journal, Frankfort