Cyndi Kirkhart runs Facing Hunger Food Bank in Huntington, West Virginia. In 2025, the food bank was providing food to more than 150 thousand people in need across the tri-state area of West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.
Scott Thompson started working at the food bank in 2021, shortly after his release from prison, where he served nearly five years on drug charges.
Scott Thompson at Facing Hunger Foodbank in 2025. Photo courtesy of Scott Thompson.
With the holiday season approaching, Cyndi and Scott sat down to discuss how their early experiences led them to this line of work, and Scott used the opportunity to thank Cyndi for giving him a chance when he was just getting back on his feet.
Scott Thompson with his grandfather, Tommy Thompson, around 1990. Photo courtesy of Scott Thompson.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired November 14, 2025 on NPR’s Morning Edition.