Issue 1: September 27, 2025
We were excited to see so many of you at our monthly meeting! This past month, we had a fantastic turnout as we began signing people up for committees and focused on local issues impacting our community.
Chairman’s Corner
Marshall County Democratic Party Chair, Eryn Pritchett, is busy working on strengthening our local party and preparing for the upcoming election cycle.
Engaging Youth: The Marshall County Democratic Party plans to engage young people through social media and meetings with the Young Democrats. They also mentioned creating committees for issues that younger people care about, such as a community concerns committee. She acknowledges that a former Young Democrats chapter became inactive and expressed interest in finding new, young leaders to take on that role.
Seeking Guidance: The local party follows the guidelines and structure of both the national and state Democratic parties. Eryn also mentioned that there are new district committees being formed to provide support to local county parties. While the national party's ideas influence their decisions, the local party's platform and specific initiatives are largely determined by their members. They are currently in a "building stage" to establish active and interested committees.
Community Highlight
Marshall County Needline
307 E. Main St., Benton, KY
270-527-0024
Marshall County Needline currently serves around 400 families each month. Many residents are still unaware that Needline is available to help them, and much of its work depends directly on local support. Donations from farmers, community gardens, and food drives play a vital role in keeping shelves stocked with fresh produce and canned goods. While Needline receives some support from Feeding America—a nationwide nonprofit network of food banks—the bulk of services remain dependent on community donations. In recent months, those provisions have dropped dramatically. One month no meat was provided, and the next, only chicken drumsticks arrived. To make up for the shortage of protein, dry beans have been distributed instead.
These challenges are compounded by cuts to key social programs such as SNAP and Medicaid, which could further reduce food access for low-income families at a time when food costs remain high. According to the Urban Institute, millions of families stand to lose at least $25 per month in SNAP benefits, with some families seeing their assistance cut nearly in half. With SNAP serving more than 40 million Americans each month, food banks and pantries like Needline are bracing for even greater demand. The path forward will rely heavily on neighbors supporting neighbors. As resources tighten, it is clear that our community must step up together to ensure no family in Marshall County goes hungry.
Needline is open Wednesday through Friday from 9am-12pm.
Community Connections
Katelyn Leshea, Founding member of Marshall County Human Rights Advocacy.
Katelyn is the co-founder of Marshall County Human Rights Advocacy, a grassroots organization. She created the group to address the unmet needs of marginalized members of our Marshall County community. She spoke with us about the issue of food insecurity in our area.
One of her goals is to network and find resources to help people access nutritious food. Katelyn highlights that food insecurity is a significant concern in Marshall County, noting that a recent Community Health Survey identified access to healthy food as a top-three community concern.
A key initiative is the Marshall County Gardening Initiative, which aims to connect community members with local gardens to promote self-sustainability and ensure access to fresh, healthy produce. Katelyn has been working with organizations like Grace Garden and wants to encourage other groups to create similar community gardens.
When asked about the biggest divide between those who need help and the available resources, Katelyn identifies a lack of knowledge about available resources and the emotional toll of carrying shame. She notes that many people are afraid of being judged or labeled, which prevents them from seeking help. She also points out that competition between organizations can hinder a unified effort to serve the community. The advocacy group's goal is to help all community members, regardless of their background, as a way to proactively address needs, especially as they anticipate a decrease in government assistance in the future.
Community Activism
Marshall County Dems hosted the Community Concerns Meeting at Dam Brewhaus in Benton, Kentucky on September 14th. There was a great turnout, with attendees encouraged to discuss their concerns in an informal setting. Issues that the committee will be addressing are:
Food Insecurity
A list of resources for people in need of social services food/clothing/help with utilities
Resources for people returning to our community after incarceration
Transportation in our community
Establishing Narcan locations in our community
Accessible contraception in our community
Homeless/warming/cooling community centers in our community
Mental health resources in our community
Establishing a community service day
Next Meeting: October 12th, at Dam Brewhaus, 1894 US 641, Benton, Kentucky 4pm-5pm
Get Involved!
We can't do this without you. Here are some ways you can get involved:
Attend a Meeting: See you at our monthly meeting to stay in the loop and help us plan our next steps.
Volunteer: Help us with canvassing, making phone calls, and other important tasks.
Stay Connected: Follow us on social media for real-time updates and news.
Facebook: @mcdemparty
TikTok: @mc.dem2
Instagram: @marshallcountydems
Become a Member: Visit our website to learn how to join the Marshall County Democratic Party and help fund our efforts.
Donate: Support our work directly with a contribution. Every dollar helps us reach more voters, build stronger communities, and keep our movement growing. Donate today!
Upcoming Events
Marshall County Food Drive
September 22nd-October 1st
At various locations
More information Here
MC Human Rights Advocacy Group
Self Sustainability Community Day
Saturday September 27 4pm-7pm
H.H. Lovett Park, Benton,KY
Community Outreach Committee
Monday September 29th 6:00 PM
VIRTUAL - meet.google.com/nrk-ymdf-pcs
Community Health and Resource Fair
Tuesday September 30th 3pm-5:30pm
Marshall County Public Library
1150 Birch Street, Benton, KY
Marshall County Dems Monthly Meeting
Fourth Tuesday of the month - October 28th
Marshall County Public Library @ Benton
1150 Birch St, Benton, KY
Quote of the Month
“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
- Abraham Lincoln
