MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Second Harvest wrapped up its annual "Pack the Bag" fundraiser on Tuesday. The campaign raises money to support children across East Tennessee, helping make sure they have access to nutritious meals.
The fundraiser supports the food bank's Food for Kids Program, which provides a bag of kid-friendly food each Friday for around 14,000 students across 18 counties. Organizers said it operates in over 298 public, elementary, middle and high schools across East Tennessee.
Second Harvest said in a press release that it raised enough money in the Pack the Bag fundraiser to support 3,465 students. Second Harvest said it raised around $346,500 through the fundraiser, and said "a little more might trickle in." The fundraising goal during the Pack the Bag was $350,000, but the fundraiser is not the only source of funding for the program.
The nonprofit said it is continually fundraising, and it expects to still serve around 14,000 children through the Food for Kids Program. Anyone who wants to donate to Second Harvest can do so online.
The food bank operates a variety of food accessibility programs and helps facilitate food distribution events through several food pantries across the region. Anyone who needs food can use Second Harvest's website to find a food pantry near them.