Joe Klemczewski, resource development officer of Tri-State Food Bank located in Evansville, speaks at the July 28 Advocacy & Action on Food Insecurity press conference on the final day of Catholic Charities USA’s People of Hope Museum visit to Owensboro. RILEY GREIF | WKC
‘We are not alone’ – Catholic Charities People of Hope Museum unites community
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Standing before the crowd of 200+ people the evening of July 26, Mercedes Santos Tellez told her story of escaping a domestic violence situation as a youth in Mexico to freedom as a young woman who ultimately gained U.S. citizenship, a college degree, and is now in law school.
“Organizations like Catholic Charities give us hope and remind us we are not alone,” said Santos Tellez to those attending the People of Hope Gala, which supported the efforts of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Owensboro in collaboration with the visit of the People of Hope Museum, a Catholic Charities USA traveling exhibit.
Santos Tellez credited the accompaniment of Susan Montalvo-Gesser, director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Owensboro, who is also an immigration attorney.
On July 27, volunteers pack 2,000 meal kits inside the Owensboro Convention Center for Audubon Area’s Head Start program. RILEY GREIF | WKC
“Thank you for your courage and resilience,” said Santos Tellez. “Thank you Susan, Miguel, and everyone at Catholic Charities who believed in me before I believed in myself,” referencing Miguel Quintanilla, a paralegal with Owensboro’s Catholic Charities who works with youth clients navigating the immigration system.
The gala was just one event in a three-day initiative sponsored by Catholic Charities. From July 26-28, the People of Hope Museum was parked outside the Owensboro Convention Center and open for visitors to watch and listen to stories from people whose lives were changed by Catholic Charities across the country.
From July 26-27, volunteers worked inside the convention center to assemble 2,000 “Boxes of Hope” (meal-at-home food kids) to be distributed by Audubon Area Head Start programs across the region. July 27 also saw a health fair and community resources day with free meals for kids, provided by the diocese’s School Food Service’s summer feeding program.
Bishop William F. Medley speaks at the July 26, 2026 People of Hope Museum kickoff in front of the Owensboro Convention Center. Susan Montalvo-Gesser, director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Owensboro, stands nearby. RILEY GREIF | WKC
On July 28, the initiative wrapped up with the Advocacy & Action on Food Insecurity press conference, which featured a panel discussion with John Cain of Feeding Kentucky, Joe Klemczewski of Tri-State Food Bank, and Steve Innes of Green River Community Food Warehouse.
“None of us can solve this problem alone,” said Innes. “It’s not about one organization doing more; it’s about all of us working together.”
By the time the museum closed in the afternoon of July 28 in preparation for its next trip, more than 370 visitors had come through, which surpassed the museum’s stops in Louisville, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Molly and Al Thompson, recipients of this year’s Providing Help, Creating Hope Award at the July 26 People of Hope Gala supporting Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Owensboro, affirm the work of local volunteers and Catholic Charities staff. RILEY GREIF | WKC
More than 15 organizations participate in the July 27 health fair and community resources day in downtown Owensboro in collaboration with Catholic Charities USA’s People of Hope Museum visit to the area. RILEY GREIF | WKC
On July 27, volunteers pack 2,000 meal kits inside the Owensboro Convention Center for Audubon Area’s Head Start program. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Originally printed in the August 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
