CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A program that helps provide free food, clothing and support for families in the Tri-State is asking for help. This local organization needs volunteers and donations to make an impact.

Master Provisions is a faith-based group in Erlanger and repurposes surplus food to feed the hungry in the Tri-State. It’s had huge growth in the past year.

“We pick up high-quality food at the distribution center level from large companies. We bring it back to our facility, and then volunteers help us sort it and prepare it, and other nonprofits, 270 to be exact, come to us to run soup kitchens, food pantries, senior feeding programs, school backpack programs. We’re a resource to help other nonprofits fight food insecurity in our region,” said Roger Babik, Master Provision’s founder and the chair of the “Further the MPact” campaign.

Babik recently appeared on “What’s Happening in Health” (6 a.m. Sundays on Local 12).

He said the demand for food has grown a lot in recent years.

“We’re now helping over 76,000 people a month, and 40 more nonprofits are depending on us as a food resource, including all the universities in Northern Kentucky,” Babik said.

The problem now is Master Provisions doesn’t have enough space to take in donated food and clothing to meet the need. So, it’s raising money to expand through the “Further the MPact” campaign.

“Our goal is to break ground next year, and we’ll be able to build as we go, and it’s really exciting that during this holiday giving season, we have a donor up to one million dollars in aggregate giving will be matched for people willing to help us to serve more people and expand our program and facilities,” Babik said.

So, that means if a person gives now – the donation is doubled.

Master Provisions also needs volunteers. Each month, people serve at food giveaways in the community.

For those interested in helping, click here.