KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — People across Knoxville have more access to food after Knox Pride announced a partnership with Second Harvest to distribute thousands of pounds of food.
Knox Pride said that after around two years of discussions, the nonprofit picked up its first order of food from Second Harvest on Friday morning. That order totals around 3,300 lbs. for the nonprofit's mutual aid food system.
It said on social media that it would share the food with other community agencies, helping make sure people across the city are able to find a filling meal. By June, Knox Pride said it would generate an additional 13,000 lbs. of food — eclipsing the previous year's amount of food collected through donations.
The partnership also does not compromise Knox Pride's no-barrier system of providing food. People can still visit the community fridge or any of the nonprofit's food pantries to grab the groceries and essentials they need — no questions asked. Regardless of how people identify or the challenges they face, they can get food from Knox Pride.
Knox Pride has three locations where people can get food. One is located at its community community center at 4044A Chapman Highway, and the other is located at the South Press Coffee Shop at 3615 Chapman Highway.
The third location, a community fridge, is located outside the community center and offers more food options than only nonperishables. The fridge is also available 24 hours per day.
Knox Pride said in 2023, it collected a total of 8,000 lbs. of food donations.
Second Harvest is a large food bank providing resources for food pantries and nonprofits across East Tennessee. Anyone who needs a meal can also find a food pantry near them through Second Harvest's website.
