Jerry Oaks

For over 50 years, Christian Appalachian Project has served the people of Appalachia by building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love. Our work started when Reverend Ralph W. Beiting, a Catholic priest from northern Kentucky, was assigned to pastor a large portion of east-central Kentucky. Through his outreach, he witnessed tremendous poverty in Appalachia. He saw children weak from hunger, families beaten down by hardship, seniors living in fear and isolation, and communities desperate for hope. With the help of family and friends, he provided food, clothing, and other essentials to neighbors in need. What started small quickly grew, and Christian Appalachian Project was founded in 1964. Through donor support, dedicated volunteers, and a selfless staff, CAP now touches the lives of more than 1 million people each year. By working with other local food banks and humanitarian service providers, our reach extends to parts of all 13 states of the Appalachian region, including Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The mission of Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ's love through service in Appalachia.