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

CELEBRATING

50 YEARS

of Serving Hope

Dear Friends of the

Chattanooga Area Food Bank, The mission of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank is to LEAD a network of partners in eliminating hunger and promoting better nutrition in our region. It doesn’t say assist, help or simply store and deliver food – but to LEAD. The past two years have been full of amazing opportunities, challenges that required us to dig deep and find strength, and a passionate team of staff, donors, volunteers, and partners that made it possible for us to LEAD. We’ve all experienced those times when nothing seems to go right. Your refrigerator breaks down, you have a flat tire, or maybe you have a water leak. Most of us are able to resolve the problem without too much of a financial hit.

But, what if something more serious happens that hits the checkbook much harder… significant medical bills or loss of income? Could you weather the storm? Would you find it difficult to ask for help?

The reality is that many of our neighbors are just a short step away from needing help during a time of unexpected crisis.

Fortunately, there is help. The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is the leader in hunger relief in our region, and along with our community partners, we are here to help during life’s storms.

Together, we are leading struggling families toward greater self-sufficiency now and in the future, no matter the crisis.

We never know when someone we know might be on the other end, needing the hope that the kindness of a helping hand brings.

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

Martha Leiper Betsey Kirk McCall Jennifer McIntyre Rob Reagan Murphy Sauceman Tracey Smith Celeste Bandy Weaver Daniel Yim

UPCOMING EVENTS • Family Volunteer Nights - 7/14/22 & 8/8/22 • NWGA Building for a Better Tomorrow Kickoff - 6/23/22

For more information, visit chattfoodbank.org/events

Gratefully, Melissa Blevins President and Chief Executive Officer

Braden

Clare Sawyer

Laura Robinson

Donor Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

Braden is a 5th grader who has decided to use his newfound hobby to serve the community.

Meet Clare; she is a former President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

Laura’s work expands far beyond the walls of the Food Bank. She is actively involved in other community efforts to make fresh produce accessible.

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Staff Spotlight

I M PA C T S T O R Y

Jaylynn and Erin Three years ago, good friends Jaylynn and Erin met at a women and children’s shelter. Each with a child under the age of 3, they forged a bond of support and trust as the two of them raised their children together. Both women, warm and friendly, consider their companionship a safe space to work through the challenges of life.

“The day I moved out of the shelter and into my apartment was one of the saddest days of my life, because I didn’t think I would ever see Erin again. You tend to lose touch under these circumstances.” Four months later she was waiting at the bus stop outside of her building when she turned to the person standing next to her, “Do you know what time the bus gets here?” she asked. The stranger turned to face her and suddenly they were both overcome with surprise and excitement. “It was Erin! Sure enough, it was Erin.

She had just moved into my building that week.”

From that moment on, they continued in their friendship and mutual support of one another’s families.

“Erin has been coming to get a box of food for about two months now, and she invited me to come with her this time. I am so happy that we have the opportunity to receive this food, it is a major help.”

The truth of life is that we can’t always see what’s around the corner. We don’t know what tomorrow will hold.

But one thing is for certain: the Food Bank will be here, standing by our neighbors who need a little extra monthly support and making sure that hunger is one part of the unknown nobody needs to worry about.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Braden - Handcrafted for Hunger When Braden was in 4th grade, he learned how to turn wood at school. He instantly fell in love with the craft and, after getting his own equipment for Christmas, now 5th grader Braden has decided to use his newfound hobby to serve the community.

“Ever since I volunteered with my Boy Scout Troop at the Food Bank, and I learned about how others don’t have all the food that they need, I have always wanted to find a way to help.” That’s when he started to make bowls, pens, salt & pepper shakers, and more – selling his beautiful, wooden craftmanship and donating the proceeds back to the Food Bank.

Recently, Braden visited the food bank, presented us with a check for $426.80, and was awarded a Hunger Hero certificate. Braden and his family also plan to join us for a Family Volunteer Night. “One thing I would tell kids my age to encourage them to give back is that it feels really good to do what you can to help others in need.” Check out Braden’s work at Handcrafted for Hunger to buy one of his creations and support his nonprofit’s mission of being one piece of the puzzle to solving hunger here in the Chattanooga Area!

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

Clare Sawyer Meet Clare Sawyer; she’s a very special volunteer as a former President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Clare serves with us in the garden every week, and has spent over 300 hours with us this year.

When we asked Clare what she loves about the Food Bank she said, “I believe in the mission and I want to continue being part of what the Food Bank is doing in the community.” Clare enjoys working in the garden because, as a CEO, it was a place she very rarely was able to spend time. Now, she can be found helping harvest and plant our vegetables each season – one of the many ways we provide healthy produce to our neighbors each and every day.

S TA F F S P O T L I G H T

Laura Robinson, Master Gardener Meet Laura Robinson, a Master Gardener and Garden Coordinator here at the Food Bank. Laura’s love for gardening was first sparked in her mother’s garden, and later as she discovered how rewarding it is to grow and eat your own food. “I thought it was really cool to plant and eat my own vegetables, and I even find getting my hands dirty with this kind of work is very refreshing and rejuvenating.” Laura’s love for the work expands far beyond the walls of the Food Bank. She is actively involved in other community efforts to make fresh produce accessible and even started a garden for kids in the center of her neighborhood. “I try to plant foods that are easy to grow and that you can pick and instantly eat. I think if kids discover early on how fun it is to grow your own food, it might develop the habit of healthy eating and gardening that sticks with them for a lifetime.” We love Laura here at the Food Bank; her passion for growing and the dedication she applies to her craft is unmatched. If you’re ever on the Riverwalk, stop by our Garden & Pavilion and say hello to Laura! She’s sure to meet you with a warm smile and maybe a tasty treat straight from the earth!

NWGA Branch