Kara Hunkele

One of the most unique ways a community member has supported Second Harvest were the efforts of Clayton L. Brewer, a beloved poet who started writing poetry over 50 years ago as a UT student. He not only wrote about the activity of our truck drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but larger conceptual themes relating to hunger as well. Brewer donated all proceeds of his publication “A New Day” to Second Harvest.

A recent visit to Forward Market, a partner pantry in Knox County, sparked a conversation with Jessica, the founder, about the history of the pantry and the way it operates. “One Thanksgiving I felt called that people are hungry more than the holidays, and we should be feeding them more often, so that’s how Forward Market was birthed,” she says. Read more from our interview with Jessica.

“In a world where many of us are removed from the sources of our food, our local farmers’ work stands as a vital link between the land and our tables,” says our Director of Development, Rachael Ellis. That’s why over the past several months, Second Harvest visited the 4 Tennessee farms of our newly instated Farm Advisors. We’re thrilled to be sharing all we’ve learned, seen, heard, and even tasted from each of these farm visits with the community!

Happy Hunger Action Month! Want to be a Hunger Action Hero this September by following a recipe for yourself or your family? As we highlight the importance of shelf-stable proteins this H.A.M., we’ve got two unique and tasty options from our Nutritionist to choose from: Noodles with Peanut Butter Sauce and Veggie Loaded Tuna Salad!

Juanita at Wesley House, a partner pantry utilizing client choice, shares that our Food Rescue truck deliveries provide cold food, meats, and other items that the pantry couldn’t otherwise afford. “I want whoever’s donating to know they’re just as important as I am. Every one of us is a puzzle [piece], and we have to fit together to make it work,” she says.

This month, Second Harvest would like to educate and bring awareness to the benefits and importance of a term in food banking known as “Client Choice,” as it relates to one way our partner agencies serve our neighbors experiencing food insecurity in East Tennessee. The “Client Choice” model is one in which a food pantry offers community members the ability to shop and make decisions about what they receive, as opposed to distributing pre-boxed or bagged items.