Chattanooga Area Food Bank supports families in need during school year | Local News

With schools closing their doors every weekend, some children might miss out on meals if it weren’t for nonprofits like the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

Thousands of children in the US state of Tennessee are affected by food insecurity and the number continues to rise.

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank offers programs to ensure students and their families have access to fresh food.

“Currently, over 13,000 children here in Chattanooga don’t know where their next meal is coming from,” said Summer Simmons of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

She says food insecurity is a reality for many people and is the focus of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

“The development of children and the way they nourish their bodies depend heavily on it. Therefore, we have a responsibility to ensure that every child has access to the food The They must thrive, not just To survive,” she said.

According to Summer, the food bank works with more than 200 organizations to distribute food to families in need.

The food bank partners with Snap, the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

She says program coordinators work in some schools in Hamilton County.

They have noticed an increase in the number of people needing help.

“We actually processed over 1,500 emergency applications last year, 805 of which were here in Chattanooga.”

The food bank also runs the snack pack program, coordinating with local churches and schools.

The packed bags go to the students and their families who may go hungry on the weekend.

“And we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that they are equipped with all the resources they need, including nutrition,” she said.

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