Chattanooga Area Food Bank - "Nourish" - 2023 Winter Newsletter

The Newsletter of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank

Winter 2023

Nourish

Dear friends, The Chattanooga Area Food Bank represents many things, but the words generosity, community, and compassion come to my mind first. And while our name says “Chattanooga,” we have hunger-relief partners far beyond the city into rural Tennessee communities and across our nine counties in Northwest Georgia. This vast network is a testament to collaboration, innovation, and an unshakeable commitment to end hunger in every community.

This has been a remarkable year for us, as we were able to expand our operations in Dalton by opening our new Pierce Distribution Center. This new facility represents our deepened commitment to our Northwest Georgia communities and gives us an opportunity to better serve all of our neighbors. The success of our warehouse expansion truly demonstrates the power of a community when it comes together.

Now, we’re quickly approaching the holidays. During the winter months, much of the world slows down and things recede. But our fight against hunger neither slows down nor recedes. Imagine a tractor-trailer on the highway filled with groceries, then imagine 99 more behind it—that’s the amount of nourishing food that will be shared with families, children, and neighbors this winter. This impact represents the commitment of our donors, business community, volunteers, and hunger-relief partners working on the front lines. Our collective efforts will provide more than 3.5 million meals this season, each meal telling a story about the power of community, about the impact of our network, and about the impact of your generosity.

As you go about your winter adventures, I thank you for supporting our mission. Food is a basic need, and together we are providing relief to thousands of families in our communities.

Do Good Together,

Melissa Blevins President & CEO

Grand Opening of the Pierce Distribution Center!

SPOTLIGHTS Providence Ministries’ motto is “Serving Christ, Helping Others,”

and such a declaration is evident after meeting three leaders of the organization: Roy Johnson, CEO and Founder; Jack Kennedy, Food Bank Coordinator; and Tony Howeth, Ministry Liaison. Incorporated in 1980, their main focus is drug and alcohol recovery. Their headquarters are in Dalton, Georgia, and they have both men’s and women’s programs across Northwest Georgia and Southeast Tennessee. Providence Ministries has been a partner of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank since 1985. “The food bank has been a fantastic resource,” says Jack. Last year, Providence sourced nearly 874,000 pounds of food from the Chattanooga Area Food Bank alone. They don’t have a formal food pantry, but Providence will help anyone who comes in the door. “We’re able to set them up with some food boxes. We have resources in our pantry that we keep on hand,” says Jack. Providence does have an impressive and robust hot meals program, though. They average 400 meals a day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner free-of-charge to anyone who needs it. Jack estimates they feed 1,500 individuals, in addition to the men and women in their programs, on a monthly basis. Roy says anyone from the public is welcome to the meals. Their church services are open to the public, too. “If you’re struggling, there’s help,” says Roy. “If you don’t feel like you’ve got a friend or you don’t have anyone you can turn to, you can come to Providence.” A new women’s shelter is currently under construction at their Dalton headquarters and is set to house 24 women once completed. To find help or learn how to get involved, visit their website at providenceministriesinc.com.

hungerrelief partner

Rhonda and Mitch Tingle are longtime volunteers for the food

bank, but over the last year they’ve made it a point to volunteer together.

Rhonda initially came to the food bank on a Cigna Day of Service about 15 years ago, and she continued on after retiring in 2022. Mitch found the food bank through his church, Christ United Methodist, and started volunteering once he retired from TVA in 2018. Rhonda says she and Mitch are fortunate to know one meal will follow another.

“And to think that there’s people close to where we’re sitting now, that don’t know where they’ll get food from—that hits heavy on our hearts.”

Today, the couple spent their time packing macaroni into one-pound bags with their godson Eli. They say they’ll treat Eli to lunch. “But no mac and cheese,” says Rhonda. “Yeah, I’ve already seen 1,200 pounds of it,” says Eli. If you’re curious about the volunteering process, Rhonda suggests coming in with a group, or just taking a tour.

“One thing that has been impressed upon me: there’s no waste. Everything is so well laid out, the process really works, and it all makes perfect sense where there’s no waste of any of that food.” Plus, she says, volunteering is fun. “You get to spend time with others, and you’re helping to feed people, too.” If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Lipski at klipski@chattfoodbank.org, or scan the QR code on the back of the newsletter.

volunteer

upcoming events NOV

28

Smoky and Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

Giving Tuesday

Share Your Christmas

1 head cauliflower, diced 2 cloves garlic, unpeeled 1 tbsp butter, melted 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp cayenne pepper salt and pepper, to taste

DEC

8 Preheat oven to 400°F.

JAN 2024

In a medium-sized roasting pan, arrange cauliflower and garlic in a single layer.

26 - 28

Pour butter over vegetables, then sprinkle spices on top.

Mix thoroughly to coat the cauliflower with butter and spices.

Skillet Curling Competition

Bake 45 - 60 minutes, depending on how crispy you like the florets.

Once out of the oven and cool to the touch, squeeze roasted garlic throughout and discard the skins.

follow us

{& stay up-to-date}

@chattfoodbank

chattfoodbank.org (423) 622-1800

to find food

Main Warehouse 2009 Curtain Pole Rd. Chattanooga, TN

to apply for SNAP

scan

Pierce Distribution Center 1111 S Hamilton St. Dalton. GA

to volunteer

Foxwood Food Center 3209 Wilcox Blvd.

Chattanooga, TN

to tour

to donate