Representative Diana Harshbarger donates to Food Bank
October 10, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director
(423)279-0430 ext. 206 or
Kristen Reedy, Development Director
(423)279-0430 ext. 201
Representative Diana Harshbarger and Supporters Donate Over $12,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee for Disaster Relief
Northeast, TN – Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger donated over $12,000.00 to Second Harvest Food Bank for regional Hunger relief efforts. This donation combines monies raised at the Harshbarger Hoedown on September 28 and from Congresswoman Harshbarger. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee (SHFBNT) will use the donated funds for continued disaster relief in the hardest-hit counties of Carter, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington.
The Food Bank has expanded its hunger relief efforts to meet critical needs for food and water in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and immediately responded to supply the region’s emergency shelters with water, food, and other necessary supplies. SHFBNT has added mobile food distribution sites and is conducting pop-up mobile distributions throughout the region to reach people in need. As of Tuesday, October 8, Second Harvest had distributed over 1 million pounds of food. The Food Bank delivered 25 trucks of food and water to command posts and partner agencies in the affected areas. “We greatly appreciate this donation from Congresswoman Harshbarger and her supporters to help in our disaster recovery efforts,” stated Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director.
“In times like these, Second Harvest mobilizes rapidly to serve our communities,” Ms. Chafin said. “The Food Bank is uniquely qualified and prepared to respond to disasters. The Food Bank is committed to the region’s recovery and intends to meet Northeast Tennessee’s food and water needs for as long as necessary. Second Harvest is addressing the immediate needs and will continue to provide long-term hunger relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We ask the community to support us in this effort.” Ms. Chafin added. “Our vision of a hunger-free Northeast Tennessee is more important than ever.” Donations can be made at www.netfoodbank.org
Twenty of the Food Bank’s agency partners are located in some of the hardest-hit areas and have reported a greater need for food, water, and supplies. The Food Bank normally provides food for as many as 43,000 people monthly but estimates the number will increase as people work to rebuild their lives. Second Harvest will operate its regular regional mobile distribution sites and supply agency partner’s food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. People needing food can contact the Food Bank at (423)279-0430 or visit their website, www.netfoodbank.org, for information on Food Bank distributions.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee feeds the hungry by securing food donations from national and local manufacturers, growers, and individuals, then redistributing those donations to qualified nonprofit charities and through Food Bank programs that feed the hungry in an eight-county region of Northeast Tennessee. Counties served include Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Washington, and Unicoi Counties. The Food Bank is a 501 (c )3 nonprofit organization in Kingsport, Tennessee, and is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest Food Bank network. SHFBNT is a Partner Food Bank of Feeding America, one of 5 in Tennessee and one of over 200 in the United States. In times of disaster, Feeding America mobilizes through its Food Bank network to rapidly serve communities in need.