LBJ&C Head Start Fights Against Regional Food Insecurity
LBJ&C Head Start is utilizing the Child and Adult Care Food Program to provide daily hot meals to hundreds of children across the Upper Cumberland. Head Start Director Penny Meadows said the organization serves 880 children across 20 centers in the region. Meadows said the program provides breakfast, lunch, and a snack each day that […]
Fentress County Secures Food Insecurities Grant Funding
Fentress County is moving forward with a food insecurities grant to purchase essential equipment for local food banks and senior meal delivery services. Grant Coordinator Amanda Maynard said the funding is being utilized to improve food distribution throughout the county. Maynard said the project includes a variety of items to support local nutritional programs. “We’ve […]
Schools Combat Summer Food Insecurity With Meal Packs
Putnam County Schools providing breakfast and lunch to local children through their summer meal program. School Nutrition Administrative Assistant Lynette Ellis said the district offers seven-day meal packs through curbside pickup at four different locations for any child under the age of 19. Ellis said students attending summer learning camps also receive daily meals at […]
Overton Purchases Vehicles To Support Local Food Pantries
Overton County will purchase five vehicles to support local food pantries and non-profits in combating food insecurity. County Executive Steven Barlow said local organizations rely heavily on volunteers to operate food distributions, making the grant especially valuable. Barlow said it helps cover major expenses the organizations would otherwise struggle to afford. “These non-profit places, they […]
Food Insecurity A Summer Issue For Many Of Region’s Kids
As summer vacation begins for Upper Cumberland students, many children will face the issue of food insecurity. Food to the Rescue Family Outreach Coordinator Robin Twitty said those described as food insecure do not know where their next meal is coming from. Twitty said one in five kids in Tennessee deal with food insecurity. Twitty […]
Third Of College Students Deal With Food Insecurity, Tech Provides Resources
A new Tennessee Higher Education Coalition report shows at least 30 percent of Tennessee college students deal with food insecurity. That number is higher than the national average. Tennessee Tech Vice President of Student Affairs Cynthia Polk-Johnson said the issue stems from rising food costs and a lack of financial resources. “Students are juggling many […]
Legacy Of Former Tech Student Athlete Continues To Help Head Start Kids
A group of Tennessee Tech students and staff gathered some 250 bags of healthy foods this week for Upper Cumberland children in need. Anna Cooper’s Backpack Buddies started in 2016. Cooper was a Tennessee Tech track and field and cross country student-athlete who helped initiate the program. Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance Mandy Thatcher said […]
Dodson Branch School Celebrates Director Of Schools With Food Drive
Dodson Branch School is holding a food drive to celebrate Jackson County Director Of School Jason Hardy. Principal Brian Lee said the food drive is accepting non-perishable items to support Jackson County parents needing to take care of students during the upcoming holiday breaks. Lee said school officials wanted to honor Hardy in a way […]
Fentress Gets $327K To Assist With Food Insecurity
Fentress County will disburse some $327,000 in grant money to deal with food insecurity in the community. Community Developer Amanda Mainord shared the news with County Commissioners Monday night. Mainord said the money will help the Fentress County Senior Center, the Food Bank, Feed My Lands, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church. “There’s just some […]
Cookeville Food Bank Spreads The Love This September
September is National Hunger Awareness Month, and Food to the Rescue is asking for help spreading the love, with a jar of peanut butter. Food to the Rescue’s Family Outreach Coordinator Robin Twitty said the tornadoes and pandemic have brought food insecurity to the forefront for Putnam County. Twitty said during September, 16 ounce jars […]
