SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTHEAST TN

AT SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTHEAST TENNESSEE ("SHFBNT"), WE COLLECT AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY IN A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. FOOD BANK PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICE INCLUDE: THE FOOD FOR KIDS BACKPACK PROGRAM, SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM, THE KIDS CAFE PROGRAM, THE MOBILE FOOD BANK, AND THE MOBILE FOOD PANTRY. THE FOOD FOR KIDS BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES A BAG FULL OF HEALTHY SNACKS AND EASILY PREPARED MEAL ITEMS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED TO TAKE HOME AND EAT AFTER SCHOOL AND ON WEEKENDS. THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED THROUGH EVERY SCHOOL IN OUR REGION AND CHILDREN ARE IDENTIFIED BY THEIR SCHOOL NURSE OR COUNSELORS FOR THE PROGRAM. ABOUT 5,000 CHILDREN ARE NOW BEING SERVED. SPONSORS ARE SECURED EVERY YEAR SO THAT EVERY CHILD IN NEED OF THE FOOD FOR KIDS PROGRAM MAY BE SERVED.THE MOBILE FOOD PANTRY OF SHFBNT COMES TO THE RESCUE PROVIDING REGULAR DISTRIBUTIONS OF FOOD AND GROCERY PRODUCTS TO FILL THESE GAPS IN NEED IN OUR REGION AND GET THE FOOD OUT WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDED REACHING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN NEED. INTERESTED ORGANIZATIONS AND SPONSORS ARE USED TO HOST MOBILE FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTIONS IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. KIDS CAFE ENABLES FOOD BANK AGENCIES TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMS WHERE OVER 55% OF CHILDREN ATTENDING ARE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. THIS PROGRAM SERVED AN AVERAGE OF 636 CHILDREN EACH MONTH. SUMMER IS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH FOOD INSECURITY DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF MEALS PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE IN SCHOOL. SHFBNT MEETS THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES THROUGH THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM ("SFSP"). FOOD IS DISTRIBUTED TO CHILDREN IN OUR SFSP PROGRAM USING TWO MODELS 1) A TRADITIONAL SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM MODEL AT STATIONARY SITES AND 2) A MOBILE DISTRIBUTION MODEL, OUR LUNCH EXPRESS BUSES. THE SFSP MENU THAT MEETS USDA REQUIREMENTS IS PLANNED FOR A TWO-WEEK CYCLE SHFBNT USES A COMBINATION OF PACKED MEALS AND THAW & SERVE MEALS. AN EXAMPLE OF A THAW & SERVE MEAL IS A FROZEN SANDWICH, CHEESE STICK, APPLESAUCE, JUICE, AND MILK. AN EXAMPLE OF A PACKED BREAKFAST IS CEREAL, WHOLE GRAIN SNACK, JUICE, AND MILK. AND AN EXAMPLE OF A PACKED LUNCH IS HUMMUS, WHOLE GRAIN TORTILLA CHIPS, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, CANNED PEACHES, CRAISINS, AND MILK.ALL SFSP SITES WILL PROVIDE ADULTS WITH A MEAL OPTION SO THEY CAN EAT LUNCH WITH THEIR CHILDREN IF THEY BRING THEM TO A LUNCH EXPRESS. FOOD BOXES ALONG WITH PRODUCE AND PERISHABLE FOOD WILL BE GIVEN OUT TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN THROUGH THE MOBILE FOOD PANTRY AND AT ALL SFSP SITES OF SHFBNT.