Paris, Tenn.–Donna Vick and Jennifer Thornton from the Second Harvest Food Bank organization spoke to Paris Quotarians at the Paris Academy for the Arts Lunchroom.
Second Harvest is an affiliate of Feeding America which is the largest food distribution organization in the United States. Second Harvest was organized in 1978 and distributed 42.5 million meals and 48 million pounds of food in 46 counties in Tennessee in 2021. Food is donated by WalMart, Kroger, manufacturers and farmers and is also purchased in bulk from manufacturers.
Vick said that 1 out of 8 people in the US are hungry and 1 out of 7 children are hungry. The covid pandemic increased the demand and current economic conditions such as food shortages and rising costs are impacting more people today.
She said there is always a need for volunteers. How do you volunteer? Hosting a food drive/mobile pantry and with financial donations. Volunteers are also needed when the food bank is distributing food through our local churches.
There are several churches in Henry County that participate throughout the year. A $1.00 donation provides 4 meals and 96 cents of each dollar goes directly to purchase food and for operations of the organization. The cost to host a mobile pantry is $3,000.
Elizabeth Craig handed out forms for the Relay for Life Luminaries. The event will be on Saturday, September 10th, 2022 around the court square. A minimum $5 donation will purchase a luminary in memory of someone who lost their battle with cancer or honor a cancer survivor. Forms may be picked up and donations dropped off to Elizabeth Craig at Paris Family Chiropractic office on East Wood Street.
Photo: Donna Vick speaks to the Quotarians. (Martha McFadden photo).