QUICK FACTS !

  • Second Harvest Food Bank is a non-profit organization serving the 8 counties in Northeast Tennessee with emergency food for distribution. We take donations of food from national manufacturers and grocers and redistribute it to over 200 food pantries, soup kitchens, children’s homes, and other non-profit charities that feed the hungry in our area.

  • 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 60,000 pounds of food were distributed to 30 agencies feeding the hungry in the Tri-Cities Tennessee region. The first paid staff member was also hired. Since that time the staff has expanded to eight full-time and five part-time staff members.

  • Hunger needs continue to grow. Approximately 3.4 million pounds of food and grocery products were distributed in 2003 versus 2.9 million pounds in 2001 to over 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 Counties.

  • Recipient agencies served by the Second Harvest Food Bank include all 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, the elderly, halfway houses, residential facilities for the developmentally disabled and after-school and summer programs for children. In 2002, these charitable organizations provided more than 43,000 meals each week.

  • 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 to avoid joining the ranks of the homeless.

  • In Hancock County, nearly one-third of the population live below poverty (29.4%). In Johnson County, more than 1 in 5 live in poverty (22.6%). The economic situation is even more dire for the children. In Hancock County, 4 out of 5 children (80.9%) regularly attending public school are eligible for free or reduced cost meals. In Johnson County the circumstances are marginally better – 2 out of 3 children (68.7%) are eligible for free or reduced cost meals. Overall, 40.9% of the children in our service region are eligible for subsidized meals at school.
    (Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Hunger in Northeast Tennessee 2001, study conducted by Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee)

  • The effect of changes in government assistance and welfare reform on individuals and families has placed a larger responsibility on food banks. This increased responsibility of feeding the hungry is especially apparent in Northeast Tennessee.

  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is an affiliate of the national hunger relief organization America’s Second Harvest.

 










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Message from the President and CEO of  America's Second Harvest- National

This year, America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network will honor 25 years of work toward creating a hunger-free America in 2005.
 
In just 25 years, our Network has blossomed from the vision of one man and a single food bank into an intricate Network of more than 200 food banks and food rescue organizations serving all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  Moreover, the Network has collectively served nearly 16 billion meals to more than 250 million people. 

President George W. Bush issued a proclamation this week recognizing America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network for 25 years of fighting hunger and poverty.  Supermarket News also ran a special report America's Second Harvest in its January 17th issue showcasing the milestones of the organization over 25 years. 

The exciting events and activities planned for the 25th Commemoration will feature the tagline "Feeding America's Hungry One Meal at a Time," reflecting on the milestones the Network has made and laying the foundation for continued success.  The primary initiative for the 25th Commemoration is the America's Second Harvest "25/25" events which will take place in 24 cities throughout the year.  The final "25th" event is tentatively scheduled for October in Washington, DC where Members of Congress, partner organizations and other industry leaders will be invited to participate in a "Congressional Potluck."  Additionally, the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers of America have pledged their support of the America's Second Harvest 25th Commemoration campaign and advancing hunger-relief efforts in the future.


Thanks to the nearly 6,000 Network Associates, board members, volunteers, donors, friends, advocates and others who have helped along the way and will continue to be instrumental in furthering our mission.

Together, we can and will create a hunger-free America.

Sincerely,

Robert Forney
President and CEO
 

 


copyright © 2002 Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast, Tennessee
 127 Dillon Court - Gray, Tennessee 37615 - Phone: 423.477.4053 Fax: 423.477.3467