Food Needs Growing Locally

By: | TriCities.com
Published: October 03, 2008

The Second Harvest Food Bank provides millions of pounds of food to people in more than 40 counties in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. And as times get tighter, more people need their help.

Earlier this week, the food bank launched its annual Drive for Food Hunger Convoy, now in its seventh year. The event started at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The needs have increased as the economy has turned sour, which means food supplies are lower than ever. The hunger convoy aims to replenish shelves and solicit funds to purchase more food.

“We are seeing individuals who have never asked for food assistance before simply because they have been hit with all these kinds of increases,” Second Harvest Executive Director Rhonda Chafin told the Herald Courier this week. “Food costs have gone up, fuel costs, utility costs. Everything.”

Chafin said the convoy was a way to raise awareness about the increased need for food donations during tough times.

“It’s challenging because we don’t have the food for these community agencies to meet the need,” Chafin said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 36.3 million people – including 13 million children – live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. That’s more than one in 10 households.

Each month, Second Harvest distributes about 375,000 pounds of food to 200 charities that serve needy people in the Northeast Tennessee region. They need your help. To donate, contact them at www.netfoodbank.org or 423-477-4053.

In Southwest Virginia, go to www.swvafoodbank.org or call the Appalachian branch based in Abingdon at 276-628-9266.