Middle Tennessee Food Bank Ready For Commodity Program
Nashville-based Second Harvest Middle Tennessee prepared to take over the Tennessee Food Assistance Program from UCHRA. Vice President of Community Impact Tracey Alderdice said the food bank has been working with the state and partner agencies on how to best serve each community. Alderdice said many people who have previously received commodities might have done […]
Second Harvest Trying To Answer Food Distribution Questions
Second Harvest of East Tennessee trying to work through a few issues as it prepares to take over the food commodity program in Cumberland and Fentress County. Executive Director and CEO Elaine Streno said the last few months have consisted of working with the local human resources agencies to learn about each county. Streno said […]
Mayors Concerned About Unknowns In Commodity Transition
Several City and County Mayors voiced concerns Wednesday morning about rural counties’ ability to receive food following the state take over of UCHRA’s commodity program. Three food banks, including Second Harvest, will take over the program in October after a decision by the state. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the Middle Tennessee region lacks […]
UCHRA, State Discuss Food Program Change, System Concerns
UCHRA Representatives met with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and state food banks this week to discuss the commodity program transition. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the conversations were frank and productive. He said he remains unsure why the meeting was not held earlier. Farley said the biggest concerns center on how the food […]
UCHRA Planning Final Commodity Program Distribution
Despite calls to the state about extending the deadline or changing course, the UCHRA Commodity Program will be replaced September 20. Executive Director Mark Farley will be one of UCHRA’s representatives at a meeting with the state and department of agriculture next Tuesday. Farley said it has been difficult to communicate with the department of […]
UCHRA, Concerned About Commodity Transition
What are hoped-to-be short term issues surfacing as UCHRA prepares to hand off its commodity program to Tennessee Food Banks. Executive Director Mark Farley said the food banks are unable to add capacity, meaning less food will be distributed. “[Food banks] reached out to us, I mean, but we’ve lost our funding,” Farley said. “I […]
Putnam Helping Hands Holding Juneteenth Food Drive
The Helping Hands Juneteenth Food and Commodity Drive now underway. Anne Austin chairs the Putnam County Federation of Democratic Women. She said the drive collects essential supplies for people in need, including food and hygiene items. “We’re all people, and we all have dignity,” Austin said. “And we all deserve to have enough food, to […]
Community Partners Collecting Commodities To Celebrate Juneteenth
The Putnam County Democratic Party and the local NAACP have partnered for a commodity drive celebrating Juneteenth. Coordinator Anne Austin said commodities will be distributed through Helping Hands. Austin said from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM through Thursday, anyone can donate money or goods to support those struggling in the community. “Without economic freedom, you’re not a […]
