|
FACT SHEET
The mission
of Second Harvest Food Bank of
Northeast Tennessee is to feed the hungry
by securing donations of food from national and local
manufacturers, grocers, and individuals then
redistribute that food to 200 food pantries, soup
kitchens, children’s programs and other non-profit
charities that feed the hungry in our region. Second
Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee was founded in
May 1986 as the Tri-Cities Regional Food Bank. Two local
residents began the work of the Food Bank by collecting
a trunk load of apples. That first year 68,000 pounds
of food was distributed to 30 agencies feeding the
hungry in the Tri-Cities Tennessee region. The first
paid staff member was also hired.
The need for food assistance in our
region has continued to grow. 3.6 million pounds of food
and grocery products were distributed in 2006 to 200
non-profit charities that feed hungry people in the
eight-county region of Northeast Tennessee. These
counties include Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins,
Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington.
Agencies
served by Second Harvest Food Bank include qualified
not-for-profit agencies and churches that provide food
at no cost to needy Northeast Tennesseans. These include
emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters for
homeless adults, children and abused spouses, daycare
centers for children and the elderly, residential
facilities for the developmentally disabled and
after-school and summer programs for children.
Thousands of families in the Northeast
Tennessee region go through a critical period each month
when they must decide whether to pay rent or buy food.
Many of these families must rely on emergency food
programs supported by the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Agencies served by the Food Bank report that they
provide food to an average of 25,000 individuals each
month.
In Northeast Tennessee, 14.3% of our
population is living at or below the poverty level. This
is approximately 68,000 people. 19.8% of those living at
or below the poverty level are so that there are 25,000
hungry children in our area! 27% of food recipients in
our area reported having to choose between paying rent
and purchasing food. 44% skipped a meal or went to bed
hungry. 57% worried about running out of food before
having more money to buy food or receiving their next
allotment of food stamps. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau;
Hunger in Northeast Tennessee 2001, study conducted by
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee)
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast
Tennessee operates from a 24,500 square foot warehouse
in Gray, Tennessee. The facility includes 2750 square
foot of freezer space and a 750 square foot cooler.
Food donations are secured from local and
national manufacturers, grocers, restaurants and
individuals. Nutritious food staples must be purchased
to ensure a constant supply.
Please
help us fight hunger. No one should go hungry because
they do not have enough food. Hunger is a serious
problem, but together we can make a difference. We are a
member of the America’s Second Harvest - The Nation's
Food Bank Network which is a national hunger relief
organization. |
