Everyone deserves access to nutritious food to live a healthy and productive life. Yet hunger continues to affect millions of people across the United States, including many families right here in our region.

According to national data from Feeding America, 47.9 million people in the United States experienced food insecurity in 2024 — about 1 in 7 individuals. Among them were 14.1 million children, meaning nearly 1 in 5 children lived in households that struggled at times to afford enough food.

Food insecurity is not caused by a lack of food in America. Instead, it often results from barriers that prevent families from accessing the food they need. Rising grocery prices, housing costs, healthcare expenses, and unstable income are among the most common factors that cause families to struggle with food access.

Those national figures are reflected locally. In Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee’s eight county service area, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 7 adults over the age of 18 experience food insecurity. Each month, Second Harvest serves up to 40,000 unduplicated neighbors, demonstrating just how widespread the need is across our region.

Food insecurity is not caused by lack of food in America. Instead, it often results from barriers that prevent families from accessing the food they need. Rising grocery prices, housing costs, healthcare expenses, and unstable income are among the most common factors that cause families to struggle with food access.

Hunger also affects every type of community. In 2024, approximately 17% of individuals in rural communities and 17% of individuals in large urban areas experienced food insecurity. Across the country, more than 50 million people turned to charitable food assistance in 2023 to help stretch their household budgets.

A National Network Responding to Hunger

Food banks across the country work together as part of the Feeding America network, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. The network includes more than 200 food banks, which includes 5 food banks in Tennessee, over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries, and meal programs, along with statewide food bank associations.

Through a coordinated national distribution system, food banks are able to move large quantities of food quickly and safely to communities where it is needed most. In fiscal year 2025 alone, neighbors facing hunger accessed 5.9 billion meals through the Feeding America network.

Fresh produce, protein, and dairy products now make up more than half of the food distributed, reflecting what families consistently say they need in order to live healthier lives.

Addressing Hunger Locally

While hunger statistics can feel overwhelming, the most important work happens locally. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partners with community organizations, churches, schools, and volunteers to ensure that individuals and families can access food close to home.

Through 337 points of distribution, including food pantries, mobile food distributions, and partner agencies, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee works every day to make sure families, seniors, and children have access to nutritious meals. Over the course of the year, the food bank distributes nearly 14 million pounds of food, including more than 4.2 million pounds of fresh produce, and provides over 11.6 million meals to neighbors across the region.

Programs focus on specific populations most at risk of food insecurity, including:

• Children, through school-based programs and summer meal support as well as afterschool meals and snacks at childcare centers
• Seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes
• Rural communities, where transportation and grocery access can be limited
• Working families, who may still struggle to make ends meet despite having jobs

In addition to distributing food, we work to address the underlying causes of hunger by connecting neighbors with resources such as nutrition education, SNAP benefit enrollment assistance, and community partnerships.

The organization is also prepared to respond during times of crisis. Whether facing natural disasters, economic downturns, or other emergencies, the existing infrastructure of warehouses, trucks, and partner agencies allows us to quickly deliver food and supplies to impacted communities—as demonstrated during Hurricane Helene and last fall’s SNAP disruption.

A Community Effort

Ending hunger is not something any one organization can accomplish alone. We rely on partnerships with farmers, food manufacturers, retailers, government agencies, local businesses, and community members to help supply food and resources.

Financial donations are one of the most effective ways people can help. Food banks are able to leverage purchasing power and partnerships to turn donated dollars into significantly more meals than individuals can purchase at retail prices.

Volunteers also play a critical role in the effort. At Second Harvest, volunteers help sort food, pack boxes and bags of food for distribution, assist partner agencies, and support outreach programs that ensure food reaches the people who need it most.

Advocacy is another important way to address hunger long-term. Public policies and programs such as SNAP, WIC, and other federal nutrition initiatives help millions of families afford groceries and maintain stability during difficult seasons.

Join the Movement to End Hunger

Despite the challenges, there is reason for hope. America produces more than enough food for everyone. When communities work together—neighbors, organizations, businesses, and policymakers—it is possible to ensure that everyone has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.

Readers who want to make a difference can:

Donate: Financial gifts allow food banks to provide meals and services to families facing hunger.

Volunteer: Giving time at the food bank or community food pantries helps ensure food can be distributed efficiently to those who need it most.

Advocate: Supporting policies that strengthen nutrition programs and expand food access can help address the root causes of hunger.

Together, our community can continue building a future where every neighbor has reliable access to the food they need.

Rhonda Chafin, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee