Chattanooga Area Food Bank - "Serving Hope" - 2022 Holiday Newsletter

“The food helped tremendously. The holidays are difficult financially. It’s tough for everyone because there’s bills and gifts. The meals provided food for our family. I’m thankful for that,” said Trish.

Read Trish’s story on pg. 3

CELEBRATING

50 YEARS

of Serving Hope

Dear Friends, The holidays are fast approaching. If you are anything like me, the hustle and bustle of the holidays are quickly adding to your “to do” list, and you’re wondering how to get it all done. Now, imagine what it would feel like if you couldn’t afford the food for that holiday dinner-or any food. This is the everyday reality for the 161,770 children, adults, and seniors who are struggling with hunger in our 20-county service region in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

“Do I buy food or presents?” “Do I purchase groceries or put gas in the car?” These are the tough decisions the people we serve make every day.

The vast majority of the families and individuals we serve are just like you and me. They work hard; they just can’t make ends meet at the end of the month.

As you reflect this season, I ask you to consider the blessings in your life. Are you able to share your blessings?

I can think of no greater gift than relieving the stress and burden of providing groceries to an individual who doesn’t know when they will be able to eat again.

You have the power to bless a family struggling with hunger today.

Warmest regards, Melissa Blevins President and Chief Executive Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jennifer Cookston - Chair Jennifer McIntyre - Vice Chair Mercedes Bartow Jim Catanzaro, Jr. Megan Flynn Phil Harris Peterson Hostetler Maeghan Jones

Martha Leiper Betsey Kirk McCall Declan O’Connell Rob Reagan Tracey Smith Celeste Bandy Weaver Daniel Yim

UPCOMING EVENTS • GivingTuesday: 11/29 • Share Your Christmas: 12/9

For more information, visit chattfoodbank.org/events

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

McKenzie Foundation We are incredibly grateful for the support of the McKenzie Foundation. Their gift of $60,000 in support of Emergency Food Assistance provides immediate help to adults, families, children, and seniors across all our communities. With a mission to create healthy communities, the McKenzie Foundation is making an impact in its goal to see Chattanooga reach its full potential.

I M PA C T S T O R Y

Trish Hill Happiness is a choice. And that’s the choice Trish and Jake Hill make for themselves and their family every day. “Seeing my children happy, that’s what brings happiness to me,” Trish said. “Providing a good life for them.”

Both parents work full-time to provide that good life for their children. But they’ve experienced their share of challenges.

“Feeding our kids hasn’t always been easy,” Jake said. “When you’re hit financially, you’re just without and there’s nothing more scary than when you’ve got to figure out how to feed your kids.”

“We haven’t celebrated Christmas the last few years because it’s been financially too hard, but this year we were able to,” Trish said. We try to teach our children to be thankful for everything,” Trish said. “The food helped tremendously. The holidays are difficult financially. It’s tough for everyone because there’s bills and gifts.

The meals provided food for our family.

I’m thankful for that,” said Trish.

E M P L OY E E O F T H E Q U A R T E R

Lori Bell - Foxwood Food Center Manager Lori Bell came back home to the Food Bank in April to manage the Foxwood Food Center. “I have always felt like I was called to be of service to others,” says Lori. Her love for serving the community, specifically her guests at Foxwood, is where she finds true fulfillment. She feels honored and humbled to have the opportunity to do this important work alongside the dedicated staff and volunteers. “Meeting people where they are and showing them that they are cared for, regardless of their life situation, is the heart of my work,” Lori says. It is how she champions our vision to provide equitable access to food and resources to end hunger. “I love being a small part of making a big difference,” she says.

PA R T N E R A G E N C Y S P O T L I G H T

Bledsoe County Community Food Bank Located on the Cumberland Plateau in Pikeville, TN, Bledsoe County Community Food Bank (BCCFB) serves adults, children, and families fresh produce, dairy, and staple grocery items every month. Many residents in Bledsoe County lack transportation, so BCCFB delivers food to these residents, and volunteers help distribute them. Community partnerships are vital to help meet the needs of families in rural communities who are continually forced to make impossible choices between food and other basic needs, such as gas or medicine, especially during the holidays. Giving families the ability to sit down and celebrate a meal together is a gift.

“Our partnership with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank is and continues to be a blessing! Without it we would not be able to serve the rising number of families and individuals in our county experiencing food insecurity” said Ginger Housley, Co-Director, Bledsoe County Community Food Bank.

VO LU N T E E R S P OT L I G H T

Chris Gillespi Chris Gillespi was a member of the Houston Police force for 23 years before moving up to the federal level. He went on to work as a DEA employee for 19 years. Three years ago, Chris and his wife, Jan, moved to Chattanooga from Pensacola, FL. He was first introduced to Feeding America at a church pantry in Florida, and when he arrived in Chattanooga, he began volunteering at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Chris volunteers at Foxwood Food Center where he enjoys working with the guests, other volunteers, and Food Bank staff. In Chris’s words, “I love that all walks of life come together to serve the community.” Chris especially enjoys working with college students and teenage volunteers so that he can hear their perspectives on life. He is energetic and willing to do whatever is needed to help serve the community.

Main Warehouse 2009 Curtain Pole Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37406 Foxwood Food Center 3209 Wilcox Blvd.

Chattanooga, TN 37411

NWGA Branch Branch 1111 S. Hamilton St. Dalton, GA 30720