Tag: Second Harvest Food Bank

Giving Back to Fight Local Hunger

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 15, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – Walmart is known for ‘every day low prices’ on thousands of items to cut costs for Americans, and its associates are hoping that those low prices will draw people to donate peanut butter and make their very first food drive for Second Harvest a great success. 

From noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 20th, Walmart associates in Sevierville and Knoxville will volunteer their time hosting a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. 

Volunteers will be outside each Walmart store to collect peanut butter for Second Harvest. Food items for donation do not have to be purchased at Walmart. Donors may even drive up and hand-off their donation to volunteers who will place it in the food drive barrels. Walmart customers are encouraged to come out in support and donate nutritious peanut butter. 

“The goal is to gather as much peanut butter as possible, no matter where it comes from,” says Jonathan Harness, a volunteer and Walmart employee. “Many children in our community are going to be hungry tonight.  That circumstance is unbearable to us. Walmart associates are thrilled to volunteer and help turn that situation around by partnering with Second Harvest.” 

“The demand for food is continuing to grow in East Tennessee and the situation is so dire for so many all across the country. It’s exciting to see a group of volunteers come together and organize something like this. They are really showing compassion for the hungry in this region,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest. 

*Please note that this is not a Walmart Corporation sanctioned event. 

If you are interested in supporting Second Harvest or are interested in setting up an interview with a Second Harvest representative, please call Elaine Streno at 865-850-4284.  

For more info visit: www.secondharvestknox.org. 

# # #

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982.  In 2009, this organization provided food for more than 9.7 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee.  With 6 major programs and over 500 non-profit partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee distributes food to more than 155,000 kids, adults and seniors each month.  The service area includes Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne , Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union Counties.

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Food or heat or health care?

Posted by Shane Rhyne – February 19, 2010

Thousands of East Tennesseans face this decision daily

Second Harvest logoKnoxville, TN – It is a frightening sign of our troubled economy. Every night in East Tennessee more than 245,500 people go to bed not sure if they will have food to eat in the next few days. Many of them are families with children.

Every month more than 16,000 of our neighbors must choose between buying food and paying for heat. Almost the same number faces choosing between food and health care.

These are the hard realities discovered during a national survey on hunger. Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee participated in the study, which was conducted on behalf of Feeding America, the national organization of which Second Harvest is a member.

“We know the demand for food continues to grow,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest.  “I’m not sure we fully realized just how dire things are for so many people across 18 counties, from the plateau to the mountains.”

Many of those in need are just average folks. Only 8 percent of the 36,800 different people helped in a week are homeless and almost a quarter of those helped are in households where there is at least one employed adult.

“People are working and still unsure they can feed their family,” said Streno. “That’s a situation than can leave a person almost hopeless.”

The impact of Second Harvest is deep. Second Harvest supplies an average of 78% of the food distributed by area pantries, 67% of the food distributed by kitchens, and 54% of the food distributed by shelters. Group homes and many service organizations also get their food from Second Harvest.

“What it all means to us is this: more and more people need food and we will need to raise more money to meet that need,” says Streno. “Even though we can provide three meals for only a dollar, the task before us is still daunting.”

If you are interested in supporting Second Harvest, or work as part of an agency or food bank and are interested in setting up an interview with a Second Harvest representative, please call Elaine Streno at 865-850-4284.  For more info visit: www.secondharvestknox.org

# # #

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982.  In 2009, this organization provided food for more than 9.7 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee.  With 6 major programs and 450 Agency/Food Partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee distributes food to more than 145,000 kids, adults and seniors each month.  The service area includes Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne , Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union Counties.

Media Contact:
Elaine Streno
(865) 850-4284

Walmart Donates $85,000 Refrigerator Food Truck to Second Harvest East Tennessee

Posted by Ryan Willis – November 6, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. – As Walmart and the Walmart Foundation continueLogo “Walmart Gives Back,” a holiday giving initiative that will provide $32 million in monetary and in-kind donations to charitable organizations across the U.S., a refrigerator truck donated by the Walmart Foundation will arrive at Second Harvest East Tennessee today to help feed Knoxville families in need. The truck is one of 35 that departed from Madison, Wis., earlier this month headed to Feeding America food banks in local communities across the country. 

In addition to the donated truck, Walmart presented Second Harvest East Tennessee with a $40,000 donation from the company’s state giving program, to help feed families in need this fall. 

Valued at $85,000, the new truck and 12 pallets of Great Value-branded products and fresh apples will arrive in Knoxville in time for Thanksgiving. Feeding America estimates the new trucks will help Second Harvest East Tennessee and 34 additional food banks to transport up 52.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent to 41 million additional meals, per year. 

“In this economy, families and seniors across the country who rely on food banks have been hit especially hard,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “As Walmart stores continue to be the price leader on groceries, our partnership with Feeding America is helping us do our part to put more food on the dinner table. Our business and our charitable giving are united in the commitment to eradicate hunger in America.” 

“We are so excited to celebrate Walmart’s generosity today, as it continues to help those in need throughout our community,” said Elaine Streno, executive director or Second Harvest East Tennessee. “Walmart has been a strong community partner, and has supported our organization with food donations, monetary donations, and now with the donation of a refrigerator truck, which will enable us to bring fresh, healthy food to those who desperately need it.” 

Walmart’s donated food trucks are in response to a call from food banks that were unable to safely transport nutritious produce, deli meat, beef, chicken, dairy and other groceries. Since last November, Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations have donated more than 90 million pounds of food – the equivalent of 70 million meals – to Feeding America food banks, exceeding the company’s goal and making Walmart Feeding America’s largest food donor. 

As in years past, the majority of Walmart’s holiday giving will happen at the local level with more than $24 million donated from the Walmart Foundation to nonprofits in the communities where Walmart’s 4,000 stores and clubs are located. In addition, the Walmart Foundation will, once again, donate $1.25 million to The Salvation Army, and Red Kettles will raise funds at Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations nationwide from Friday, Nov. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 24. 

Later this holiday season, Walmart will announce additional recipients of its Walmart Gives Back holiday giving. For more information, visit www.walmartgiving.com.

About Philanthropy at Walmart 

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, work force development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008, through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org. 

About Second Harvest East Tennessee

Second Harvest East Tennessee distributes food to roughly 140,000 hungry people every month through a network of Partner Agencies throughout East Tennessee. Agencies are nonprofit organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry and include church pantries, shelters, group homes, local kitchens, after-school program sites, rehabilitation centers and many others.

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is part of a national network of foodbanks called Feeding America. Feeding America members cover every county in America. Second Harvest of East Tennessee serves 18 counties in East Tennessee, delivering food as far west as Crossville and as far east as Gatlinburg.


Media Contact
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee Presents the Second Annual Irish Festival

Posted by Ryan Willis – August 19, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. – Wear green and help feed the hungry of EastLogo Tennessee!  Second Harvest Food Bank will partner with the Irish community for the Second Annual East Tennessee Irish Festival on Saturday, August 22 at World’s Fair Park Festival Lawn from 1:00pm until 10:00pm.  

“Every dollar spent at the East Tennessee Irish Fest goes directly to helping feed the hungry in our community,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank.  “At Second Harvest, we are helping over 145,000 people each month and these types of events allow us to continue our mission of ending hunger in East Tennessee.”

The festival will begin with the marching of Knoxville’s Pipes and Drums and a flag raising ceremony.  Bands such as the Dublin City Ramblers, Shamrock Road, and Sigean Band will entertain crowds throughout the day as will members of the Drake School of Irish Dance.  Attendees can enjoy a variety of Irish food and drinks while kids play on the inflatable playground, get their face painted, and meet and greet members of the Knoxville Fire and Police Departments.  A corn-hole tournament will begin at 4:00pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for UT students, police officers and firefighters; and kids 12 and under are free.

If you are interested in setting up an interview with a Second Harvest representative, please call John at 865-521-0000.  For more info visit: www.secondharvestknox.org or www.etnirishfest.com.

# # #

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982.  In 2009, this organization provided food for more than 9.7 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee.  With 6 major programs and 450 Agency/Food Partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee distributes food to more than 145,000 kids, adults and seniors each month. 

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Second Harvest Announces Upcoming and Ongoing Food Drives

Posted by Ryan Willis – August 5, 2009

LogoKnoxville, Tenn. - There are a number of food drives planned for the end of summer and beginning of fall in and around the Knoxville area.  Listed below are Second Harvest Food Drives scheduled for August and September as well as a list of the ongoing collections. 

  • Knox County Schools’ First Days – August 17 & 18
     
  • East TN Irish Festival – August 22, 2009 – The 2nd Annual Irish Festival will be held in World’s Fair Park. This festival is a celebration of Irish Culture and features traditional music, dance, cuisine, beverages, workshops, cultural exhibits as well as contemporary venders, an inflatable jungle gym for kids and much more.
     
  • 6 Shares High School Football Challenge – Fall 2009 – High Schools across East Tennessee are paired with a rival High School, competing to see which school can raise more food and funds for Second Harvest Food Bank.  More than 20 high schools have signed up for this year’s 6 Shares High School Football Challenge.
     
  • Hola Hora Latina Festival – September 18-21
     
  • Apple Tree Nursery – Ongoing – Second Harvest will be the beneficiary of the sale of Japanese red maples (Acer Plamatum), as part of an ongoing promotion by Apple Tree Nursery. Fifty percent of the sales of the Japanese red maple trees will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. 

A number of other ongoing collections are taking place at a variety of organizations in the area, including:  Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Temple Beth El, Camping World, Superior Financial Services, Baha’is of Knoxville, Consolidated Products Inc., Stonewall II Apartments, Wyngate Homeowners Association, US Dept. of HUD, Howard Baker Federal Courthouse Building, High Places Community Church and Christian Family Church.

### 

For more information, please visit www.secondharvestknox.org.

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Alcoa Foundation, Alcoa Inc. grants announced; More than $190,000 invested back into East Tennessee

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – July 28, 2009

chris_elaine_hold_checkAlcoa, Tenn. —  Alcoa Foundation and Alcoa Inc. Tennessee Operations is granting more than $190,000 to 11 non-profit organizations in Blount, Knox, Monroe and Sevier counties in Tennessee and Graham County, NC. 

 

Alcoa’s Community Advisory Board -  a group of 12 business, community and government leaders responsible for evaluating and making recommendations to Alcoa Tennessee Operations and Alcoa Foundation on what projects should be funded – reviewed 60 grant proposals totaling more than $1 million in funding requests. 

sanya_bernie_pack_backpacks“This year’s grant-selection process focused on Safe and Healthy Children and Families – one of the four Alcoa Foundation areas of excellence,” said Larry W. Martin, Alcoa Community Advisory Board member. “Back in December we met to discuss the 2009 grants and due to the economic hardships that are plaguing our community, we came to the unanimous decision to concentrate new grant funds on the area of basic health and human services,” Martin added.

“We are pleased to announce that Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is the recipient of a $15,000 Alcoa Foundation grant,” said Chris Jackson, Alcoa Tennessee Operations Rigid Packaging Division Location Manager.  “With an additional $1,800 in funding from our local budgets, the grant will be used to fund Second Harvest’s Food for Kids program in six new schools during the 2009-2010 academic year,” Jackson said.

wanda_grabs_boxFood for Kids is a collaborative effort between Second Harvest and area schools.  The program provides backpacks filled with kid-friendly food for children who normally receive free or subsidized lunches during the week, to take home on weekends.  The participating schools do not incur any costs for this program as all costs are absorbed by Second Harvest and funded through grants, sponsorships and donations.

“We have seen requests for our services double in the past six to nine months,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest.  “This Alcoa Foundation grant will assure that approximately 300 additional children will be able to enjoy nutritious meals even when they are away from school on the weekends,” Streno said.

On July 28, Alcoa CAB members and employees celebrated the grant with a volunteer work day at Second Harvest.

second_harvest_group_pictureAdditional grant dollars will fund educational and environmental programs in our communities.  In celebration and recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, $25,000 is being donated to Friends of the Smokies to continue its Trails Forever program and the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher initiative, while more than $17,000 will help support year two of the National Parks Conservation Association’s Cades Cove Shuttle pilot project.  The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont will receive $20,000 to continue work on their Citizen Science Program and solar array project.

Educational programs designed to foster workforce development were also funded in 2009, including Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County, Blount County Literacy Council, Youth Leadership Blount and the Blount County Education Initiative.

The following is a list of grants that Alcoa Foundation and Alcoa Tennessee Operations are awarding in 2009:

Organization Name

2009 Grant

Grant Purpose
Boys and Girls Club of the Monroe County Area $7,500 (year 2 of 2) Goals for Graduation program
Blount County Literacy Council $15,000 (year 2 of 2) English as a second language classes and employment maintenance assistance
Blount Education Initiative $25,000 (year 3 of 3) Workforce development
Friends of the Smokies $25,000 (year 2 of 3) “Trails Forever”; Teacher-Ranger-Teacher initiative
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont $20,000 (year 2 of 2) Expand/strengthen Citizen Science program; install solar array
Haven House/Mane Support $18,145 (year 2 of 3) HALT – Horses Assisting in Life-Changing Transitions
Ijams Nature Center $30,000 (year 2 of 2) Continuation of Living Clean and Green program
Leadership Blount $12,000 (year 2 of 3) Youth Leadership Blount program
National Parks Conservation Association $17,102 (year 2 of 3) Cades Cove shuttle pilot program
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee $15,000 (year 1 of 1) Food for Kids backpack program
Stecoah Valley Arts, Crafts and Educational Center $7,500 (year 2 of 2) Ecotourism program development


About Alcoa’s Tennessee Operations
Alcoa’s Tennessee Operations is the world’s largest producer of rolled aluminum can sheet for beverage cans.   It has been in operation in Blount County, Tenn. since 1913 and currently employs approximately 1,200 East Tennesseans in its Blount and Knox County locations. 

About Alcoa Foundation
Established in 1952, Alcoa Foundation is a global resource that actively invests in improving the quality of life in the countries around the world where Alcoa operates. The Foundation’s grants address global and local needs in Areas of Excellence that include: Conservation and Sustainability, Global Education and Workplace Skills, Business and Community Partnerships and Safe and Healthy Children and Families. Alcoa Foundation manages Alcoa’s ACTION and Bravo! programs which recognize the volunteer efforts of employees with grants to the organizations they serve. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, visit www.alcoa.com under Community. 

 

-###-

Media Contact
Lisa Hood Skinner
(865) 584-0550 x 119

lskinner@ackermannpr.com