Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee and WCQR are officially kicking off the 2026 donation campaign for Project Thanksgiving on October 28, 2026, leading up to the Radiothon on Thursday, November 5. Now in its 18th year, Project Thanksgiving aims to provide a Thanksgiving meal for families and individuals in need throughout the Food Bank’s eight-county service region who may not otherwise have a holiday meal on their table.

This year’s goal is to provide 8,000 Thanksgiving meal boxes to our neighbors in need across Northeast Tennessee. Donations can be made by credit card at projectthanksgiving.org or netfoodbank.org starting October 28.

The WCQR Radiothon on November 5, 2026, will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Throughout the Radiothon, WCQR will encourage listeners to donate to Second Harvest while sharing stories of hope from past recipients of Project Thanksgiving. Listeners can call WCQR at 888-477-5676 to donate or visit www.projectthanksgiving.org or www.netfoodbank.org to support Project Thanksgiving.

A $30 donation sponsors a Thanksgiving meal box, complete with a turkey, for a family. With the continued rising costs of food, Project Thanksgiving remains more important than ever in helping ensure families throughout Northeast Tennessee have access to a holiday meal.

“WCQR has been an important part of Project Thanksgiving, helping neighbors experiencing food insecurity enjoy a holiday meal since we began this giving tradition 18 years ago,” says Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. “Providing a healthy, nutritious dinner for so many who face food insecurity would not be possible without WCQR and our generous community in Northeast Tennessee. We are grateful to the donors who make this possible and to the volunteers who eagerly pack the holiday boxes for distribution.”

“It is our honor to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee for the 18th year on Project Thanksgiving,” said Michael Birkner, WCQR General Manager. “This partnership helps ensure that no one goes hungry, especially at Thanksgiving. It is always incredible to see how our community comes together to care for one another.”

To learn more about Project Thanksgiving or Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, follow us on social media or visit www.netfoodbank.org.