May 2020 Share the Plate: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Please give generously to GNUUC’s share the plate in May, to support the work of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, who are “Feeding Hope” for those without food in the aftermath of the tornados, during the economic crash of the pandemic, and even in their everyday lives, children and adults living in poverty.

“On the morning of the tornadoes, we (Second Harvest Mid-TN) were immediately on the ground, handing out breakfasts at 5 a.m. Every day we’re sending out 1,600 hot meals with American Red Cross of Tennessee. On just one afternoon we provided 2,000 food boxes to Metro Nashville Public Schools. And this is just a fraction of what we’re doing right now.

During a disaster, Second Harvest leverages our resources — including 12 semis, 7 box trucks, and 3 warehouses. These logistical solutions are re-purposed for disaster relief when needed and are vital to delivering food and water.

Through it all, we continue our day-to-day hunger-relief operations. These programs help low-income and at-risk populations who are often disproportionately impacted by natural disasters.

These include vulnerable, high-risk Middle and West Tennesseans, such as seniors with chronic medical conditions and families with school-aged children who have lost up to two school meals a day with early school closures. Under this added strain, many communities are still dealing with the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes that hit our community in March.

Rather than paying retail prices, we work with major manufacturers, retailers, and farmers to secure food at low bulk prices. With $1, you can maybe buy one box of macaroni-and-cheese. With $1, we can provide dinner for a family of four.

But most importantly, Second Harvest remains rooted in communities long after other disaster organizations have moved on. Our Partner Agencies, places like Martha O’Bryan and Nashville Rescue Mission, aren’t going anywhere. Annually we distribute 31 million meals through our feeding programs and through our Partner Agencies. That consistency is the key to long-term disaster recovery.”