Tag: Second Harvest

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. 

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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

Second Harvest Sees Record Demand, Provides More Food than Ever Before

Posted by Ryan Willis – August 17, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. – If anyone needs proof just how tough things haveLogo  gotten in East Tennessee all they need to do is talk to the people at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. In the last year an additional 15,000 people per month have found themselves in need of food. That means 145,000 people in need are getting food each month, and the demand is still growing. 

Sadly, it’s meant another record year for Second Harvest with the equivalent of 9.5 million meals provided across an 18 county area. That’s almost 13 million pounds of food. 6,450 tons of food have been provided…and simply put, it’s not enough. 

“Our partner agencies have been hit hard with so many requests for food. I am happy to say that Second Harvest has been able to dramatically increase the amount of food we were able to provide to our agencies.  However, we are learning that the amount of food that is being distributed into the community is still not meeting the full demand for food assistance,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest.  

Second Harvest Food Bank has been able to handle the increase in demand by working with a network of agency partners such as church pantries, shelters, group homes, community kitchens, schools and many other organizations that serve the needy.  With the help of these organizations, the food bank has been fortunate to distribute the record breaking 12.9 million pounds of food throughout 18 counties in East Tennessee.

“And while we are thrilled that more people and businesses are supporting our work it still isn’t enough,” said Streno. “If we can raise more money and purchase more food, we can feed more people. It’s as simple as that. We know things are hard for a lot of people, but we hope those who can will dig a little deeper and help us make sure people aren’t going without food.”

Second Harvest Food Bank will continue to work on increasing the quantity and number of staple products offered to agency partners in an effort to better serve the hungry in our community.

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

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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.

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

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