Blountville, Tennessee – The Rotary Club of Tri-Cities recently received a grant of $1,400 to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee to help with the COVID-19 Food Box Program. The club presented the check on Wednesday, March 27.
“The COVID-19 crisis is causing food shortages for many low wage workers as they are laid off from their jobs or experience drastic reductions in work hours,” explained Club President Jennifer Skaggs. “We knew we had to do something to help our community.”
The Rotary Club of Tri-Cities jumped on the opportunity to apply for a grant being offered by its Rotary District.
“As soon as the opportunity became available, we applied,” continued Skaggs. “We were awarded $1,400 which we are very happy to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.”
The Rotary Club of Tri-Cities are big supporters of Second Harvest.
Skaggs explained, “Our club members volunteer at the food bank every month. For the past three years, we have spent what would have been one of our regular meeting hours volunteering at the food bank – we call this our Power of One Hour. We’ve done everything from labeling cans of food, sorting donated food, and packaging items for the Food for Kids Backpack Program.”
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee Executive Director Rhonda Chafin is very thankful for the club and their efforts to support the organization.
Chafin explained, “We are so appreciative of the Rotary Club of Tri-Cities for their efforts to feed our hungry neighbors through volunteer service and donations. This $1,400 grant will help us provide 108 food boxes to our community.”
SHFBNT has led the effort to end hunger and expand healthy food options for clients in their region since 1986. Their mission is to feed the hungry in Northeast Tennessee by securing and distributing food and engaging our community in solving hunger through regional partnerships, programs and education. Their vision is that no one in Northeast Tennessee will go hungry due to lack of access to nutritious food. SHFBNT is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and relies on donations and grants to accomplish its mission.
The Rotary Club of Tri-Cities meets on Mondays at noon at Northeast State Community College. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the club is meeting via Zoom. Club members are very involved in the community. In addition to their support of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, other recent projects include landscaping and picnic structures at the Kingsport Miracle Field and playground equipment for the Sullivan County Isaiah 117 House.