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 […]
UCHRA Considering Move From From Jefferson Location
UCHRA again considering moving its headquarters from the South Jefferson Avenue location in Cookeville. UCHRA has spent the past 15 years in the location. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said moving would allow the agency to find a smaller facility “One of the issues that has caused this to come about is because we are […]
Energy Assistance Program Sees Changes For Winter
Two changes coming to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program this fall. UCHRA Deputy Director LaNelle Godsey said the LIHEAP program helps low income people pay for electricity, natural gas, and propane. Godsey said the program start date has been pushed back a month from October to November. Godsey said the program also now […]
Van Buren Head Start Needs Emergency Project Funds
The Van Buren County Head Start is making an urgent one-time requests to the federal government for two projects. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said these large-scale projects need to be done on the Head Start property. Farley said one item is renovations to the HVAC system, which could cost some $60,000. “We also need […]
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 Working On Two New Programs To Help Families
UCHRA developing two new programs to further increase the quality of life for families throughout the Upper Cumberland. Executive Director Mark Farley said UCHRA plans to partner with the Putnam County Schools, pending funding, to assist the families of pre schoolers attending the new Early Learning Center. Farley said he hopes to assist these families […]
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 Policy Council Approves Community Action Plan
The UCHRA Policy Council approved a new Community Action Plan Wednesday designed to address the region’s needs from a more holistic, person-centered approach. Community Services Assistant Director Jordan Herald summarized the plan for the Council. Herald said the plan focused on helping people find long term self-sustainability. “Historically, CSBG funds have helped us respond to […]
UCHRA Go Routes See Increased Use After Removing Fare
Go Route Buses across the Upper Cumberland have seen ridership increase some 66 percent over the last year. UCHRA Public Transportation Director Holly Montooth said much of the increase came after the agency eliminated fares. All told, UCHRA has made some 327,000 trips in the last year transporting residents. “Any place within the cities that […]
