Owensboro Health Commits $200K to Community Wellness Projects

Owensboro Health has announced a $200,000 investment over the next three years to support two local projects working to improve long-term health and well-being in the region. The health system will contribute $100,000 each to the planning and development of the Green River Community Food Warehouse and to the future Senior Community Center of Owensboro Daviess County.

Both initiatives aim to address root causes of poor health outcomes and social determinants of health by making it easier for people to access nutritious food, stay active and stay connected.

Tackling Hunger with Smarter Infrastructure

The Green River Community Food Warehouse is a grassroots initiative still in the planning phase, led by a team of local nonprofit and logistics professionals. Once operational, the warehouse will serve as a centralized, temperature-controlled facility to store and distribute large quantities of donated fresh and frozen foods to local pantries and kitchens across Owensboro and Daviess County.

“There are over 15,000 food-insecure people in our community,” said Steve Innes, Warehouse Committee Chair. “We’re designing this project to strengthen the existing network of food providers. Our pantries and kitchens are doing incredible work—but they need more consistent access to high-quality food.”

Innes says Owensboro Health’s support will help finalize engineering, continue fundraising, and move the project closer to groundbreaking. The goal is to launch operations by late 2026 and scale up to provide more than 200,000 meal equivalents each month through local partners.

The Warehouse’s plan includes a long-term vision for sustainability through revenue-generating rentals and strategic partnerships—meaning Owensboro Health’s early investment will help build something lasting. 

A New Chapter for Senior Health

The Senior Community Center of Owensboro Daviess County is also in development and will offer a modern, accessible space tailored for healthy aging. The new facility will expand fitness and education offerings, improve accessibility, and foster meaningful social connections among older adults.

“We want seniors to remain healthy and active as long as they possibly can. Having a centralized location for programs where seniors can have free access and socialize with friends is a very positive and powerful asset for the long-term health in older adults and for our community,” said Dr. David Tucker, Director of the Senior Center. “Owensboro Health is vital to our existence because this network provides the knowledge, education and healthcare pieces we need to provide for seniors.”

The center will serve older adults across the region, with plans to collaborate with Owensboro Health, River Valley Behavioral Health, and other local organizations.

Building a Healthier Region—Together

Dr. James Tidwell, Owensboro Health’s Vice President of Population Health, says this support reflects a broader strategy to address the social conditions that shape health.

“These projects aim to address social factors that influence health ‘upstream’ from the problems ,” said Dr. Tidwell. “When people are hungry or isolated, their health suffers. But if we invest in food access, connection and prevention, we can change that story. We love working alongside community partners who are deeply committed to making our region better for everyone.”

This investment follows Owensboro Health’s recent announcement that it is donating 17 tracts of land to Habitat for Humanity through the Greater Owensboro Area Housing Collaborative—further supporting efforts to address the basic building blocks of public health.