For more than two decades, Beth Kamradt has embodied the true meaning of an upstander through extraordinary compassion, courage, and selfless service to those experiencing homelessness in Northern Kentucky and downtown Cincinnati. Night after night, often four to five times a week and more in extreme weather, Beth goes where few others will. She searches under bridges, in wooded areas, behind buildings, and along city streets to reach individuals who are too often unseen and forgotten, bringing not only essential resources, but dignity, care, and human connection.
Beth’s impact is both deeply personal and remarkably innovative. Alongside her students, she designed and created life-saving bedrolls that are waterproof, lightweight, and capable of keeping individuals warm in temperatures as low as zero degrees. She also assembles and distributes thoughtfully prepared care backpacks filled with several days’ worth of food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and seasonal necessities such as gloves, hats, and rain gear. In addition, she provides complete clothing sets, shoes, coats, and other essentials, ensuring that each person she encounters receives support tailored to their needs.
What makes Beth’s service even more extraordinary is the personal sacrifice behind it. Much of her work is funded out of her own pocket, and she continues this mission despite living with CRPS and partial paralysis, enduring daily pain. Yet she never wavers. Instead, she expands her reach by teaching students, church groups, and community volunteers how to serve, multiplying her impact through education and example. Through her nonprofit, Loaves and Fishes, she has built a growing network of compassion, supported by donations and a community inspired by her work.
Affectionately known as “the Green Bag Lady,” Beth is a trusted and beloved presence among those she serves. She is welcomed, protected, and deeply appreciated by the very community she supports. Each year, her Christmas Eve “Santa Run” brings additional warmth and joy, delivering thoughtfully prepared gifts that remind individuals they are not forgotten.
Beth Kamradt does more than meet immediate needs. She restores dignity, builds trust, and brings light into some of the darkest places. Her life is a powerful testament to what it means to stand up for others, not in a single moment, but through a lifetime of unwavering love and action.
Join us in celebrating Beth at our Cohen Family Upstander Gala on June 14th, reserve your spot today!
Cohen Family Upstander Month is generously supported by Duke Energy, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati Museum Center, and the Mayerson Family Foundation.
