​It’s hard to finish school, stay employed, or make a better life for your children when each day is filled with worry about how to survive. The Christian Appalachian Project helps stop this cycle of desperation through their Grateful Bread Food Pantry, Grateful Threadz Thrift Store, Operation Sharing, and other vital services and programs that transform lives in Appalachia. The Christian Appalachian Project helps children, their families, and seniors become self-sufficient and build lives free from poverty and hunger. The Christian Appalachian Project’s life-changing programs and services restore hope for thousands of children and families who struggle each day to break free from poverty.

 

The Christian Appalachian Project is building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. Since they were started more than 50 years ago, they have been committed to improving the lives of Appalachian children, families and seniors who are struggling to escape poverty.

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CAP began with a young Catholic priest from northern Kentucky: Reverend Ralph W. Beiting. After being assigned to pastor a large portion of east-central Kentucky, he realized that — aside from the need for spiritual guidance — the people of Appalachia were in great need of physical support as well. With the help of family and friends, he was able to bring food, clothing and other necessities to area residents. His efforts were achieving such great success that in 1964, the organization named Christian Appalachian Project came to be. With the help of donors, volunteers, staff, and the communities it serves, CAP has grown to touch the lives of more than 1 million people each year. Christian Appalachian Project’s mission is building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.

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Changing lives, teaching skills, serving the community — this is CAP.

 

CAP’s guiding principles are to:

• Promote the dignity and self-worth of individuals by promoting self-help.

• Practice and encourage good stewardship of and accountability for all of the resources entrusted to us.

• Foster individual growth among staff, volunteers, donors, and program participants.

• Live out and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ through all of our actions.

• Foster open, honest and effective communication both inside and outside the organization.

• Involve the Appalachian people at all social and economic levels in developing a solution to poverty.​​

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