MARYVILLE, Tenn. — In 2023, Second Harvest Food Bank gave away 26 million pounds of food, which is the most in the history of the East Tennessee nonprofit.
Executive Director Elaine Streno said she doesn't see the need to stop any time soon as the price of everything, including food, continues to go up.
"This year we distributed more food than we ever had before, 26 million pounds, which we knew were going that way because the demand has risen by 20%," Streno said.
Second Harvest isn't a food pantry, instead, it's a central location that puts together food to be distributed to more than 600 partners in 18 counties in East Tennessee.
On average, it serves more than 230,000 people through its partners who operate food pantries at places like schools and churches. But that hasn't stopped people from coming to the nonprofit looking for something to eat.
"We are not a pantry, but you wouldn't believe the people that have been coming in for food boxes," she said. "We'll give a food box, but we don't want to be a pantry, we want to send them to our agency partners."
Streno said people tell her they're feeling the increased food and gas prices and it's making it hard to feed their families.
"I don't think I've ever seen it this bad, because the prices of the food have increased so dramatically, so quickly, all of us are having to adjust," Streno said. "Those of us who have great jobs have to adjust. So I certainly think it's going to worse before it gets better."
Donations are down at Second Harvest and Streno said people can help by volunteering their time or hosting food drives.
For more information on how to help you can go to Second Harvest's website.