Latest news with #SecondHarvestFoodBankofEastTennessee
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second Harvest continues to feel federal cuts impact ahead of summer months
BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — It has been two months since federal cuts were announced, and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee continues to be impacted. 'In March we received 301,122 pounds of USDA product, and then in April we only received 198,171 pounds of product which was a decrease of 102,951 pounds of food from USDA,' said Kendra Lindsay with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. USDA inspects livestock for flesh-eating parasite in Strawberry Plains The food bank has several programs including a mobile food pantry that travels across different East Tennessee counties. The mobile pantry uses USDA products. 'We've limited a little bit, and we have adapted a little bit. We are trying to make sure all of the agencies have access to the product,' Lindsay said. 'We are still going out to our mobile distributions. We're still giving out food. We're currently working on different ways to find funding to bring in more food to help those agencies that may be struggling budget wise.' For instance, on Tuesday, the mobile pantry was in Cocke County. Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis estimates that 600 families were served. 'We are doing our best, and we are going to work as hard as we can for our agency partners to make sure they can get the needs they have to meet their neighbors' needs,' Lindsay said. As school is out, some are concerned the federal cuts could impact the Food for Kids program. Lindsay tells 6 News it will not be impacted. At least one dead after crash on Pellissippi Parkway near Alcoa 'We do not use USDA products for our Summer Food for Kids program. Our program will be working as usual,' Lindsay said. Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is taking in donations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘VOLunteer' Jahmai Mashack honored for work leading to 197,000 meals for those in need
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — One Tennessee Basketball player was honored Tuesday for his work and advocacy that helped provide more than 197,000 meals for people in need. Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee said 'VOLunteers' in working in the warehouse got a surprise Tuesday morning when former Tennessee Guard Jahmai Mashack joined the assembly line and helped pack boxes of food. The nonprofit said Mashack 'embodies what it means to be a VOLunteer, both on and off the court.' Staffing halved at Knoxville community farm after AmeriCorps cuts Mashack was awarded Second Harvest's 2025 Advocacy Award, in honor of the positive impact he has made on East Tennesseans experiencing food insecurity since their partnership with him began. 'My teammates, family, my coaches, they all know what it means to me to be able to just do something that's bigger than ourselves… we have to use our platform for something bigger, and in my opinion, something just as important as putting the ball in the hoop,' said Mashack, 'No matter where I go, I want to be able to shine a light.' $722K in food shipments to East Tennessee food bank canceled by U.S. Department of Agriculture The award is styled as a food can, with the area of the label that usually lists nutritional information instead showing facts about Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee and hunger in East Tennessee. Some of those facts include that more than 202,000 East Tennesseans experience hunger and that Second Harvest serves more than 15,000 children per week. Second Harvest Chief Operating Officer Rachael Ellis said Mashack has shown a unique ability to inspire and unite others, whether that is by mentoring, advocating for hunger relief, or engaging with the community in the fight against hunger. 'His impact extends far beyond the accolades he has earned; it is felt in the hearts of teammates, peers, and community members alike.' One dead after 'serious' crash on Norris Freeway in Anderson County In March, Mashack launched the 'Mashack March Madness Virtual Food Drive' following his last-second shot helped the Vols beat Alabama. Initially, the fundraiser had a goal of $7,900, in reference to the 79 points Tennessee scored against Alabama, but by the end of the fundraiser, donations to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee surpassed $21,000. Earlier this year, Mashack also served for second straight season as Tennessee's representative on the SEC Community Service Team for men's basketball. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee duo Barnes, Mashack honored for character and community service
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — While Tennessee basketball has enjoyed plenty of success on the court this season, head coach Rick Barnes and senior guard Jahmai Mashack have been recognized for their achievements off of it. For the second straight season, Mashack is Tennessee's representative on the SEC Community Service Team for men's basketball. The defensive standout works closely with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. According to a university release, he has personally provided food to over 3,500 people and helped raise over $1 million for the nonprofit. WATCH: One-on-one interview with Lady Vol basketball assistant coach Gabe Lazo He set up a virtual food drive through Second Harvest in November 2024 and raised $14,700. He helped distribute food from the money raised on Dec. 18, providing over 20,000 pounds of food to nearly 400 households. Following his recent dramatic game-winning shot against Alabama, he started another virtual food drive that has raised nearly $40,000. Mashack and his family also regularly feed members of the homeless community in his native Los Angeles area. He is the sixth player in program history to collect multiple SEC Community Service Team honors. Barnes was named a finalist for the 2024-2025 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award by honoring those who not only achieve success on the basketball court but who display moral integrity on and off it as well. CONTINUING COVERAGE: University of Tennessee Basketball He is well respected across the basketball community for his integrity and kindness in addition to his coaching abilities. Barnes supports multiple Knoxville-area charitable organizations and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Emerald Youth Foundation. He is a longtime supporter of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, having been honored twice at the V Foundation's Dick Vitale Gala. The winner will be announced in April in San Antonio, Texas, the site of the Final Four. Other finalists include Vanderbilt's Mark Byington and former ETSU head coach Steve Forbes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second Harvest campaign raises enough for 136K bags of food
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee announced their annual 'Pack the Bag' campaign had raised enough money to provide more than 136,000 bags of kid-friendly food to local children. Second Harvest's 'Food for Kids' program will provide weekly food bags for more than 15,000 students across 18 counties, to help them get through the weekend. A spokesperson for Second Harvest explained that this program is free, relying on support from the community. 'A good mom': Daughter remembers devastating tent fire that claimed her mother's life 'I am truly inspired by the outpouring of support we received for this year's Pack the Bag campaign,' said Elaine Streno, the executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. 'Thanks to our amazing sponsors and community partners, we're able to provide more than 15,000 children with the meals they need to thrive, and I couldn't be more grateful for everyone who helped make this possible.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
