WBIR 10News is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee to support the 2024 Pack the Bag campaign in hopes of helping thousands of children in need across the area.
The annual donation campaign aims to feed more than 14,000 kids by raising money over 14 days starting May 1 through May 14. You can donate online at this link or you can mail a check to:
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
136 Harvest Lane
Maryville, TN 37801
Donations raised from the campaign will provide kids bags full of nutritious, kid-friendly foods each Friday to make sure they are fed over the weekends.
"A gift of $10 sponsors a student for the month, while a gift of $100 covers a child for the entire year," Second Harvest said.
Second Harvest said 18 counties participate in the program, which benefits 298 schools in East Tennessee. In all, Second Harvest said it hopes to help 14,395 children this year.
"The program provides healthy, easily-prepared food to children likely to miss meals on a regular basis. Teachers at each school compile a list of students in their classroom who may be at risk of hunger to receive food from the program," Second Harvest said. "These children are discreetly given food every Friday throughout the school year. We often receive reports of improved self-esteem, behavior, and concentration among Food for Kids participants."
The food bank said it expects to provide more than 1.2 million free meals through the Food for Kids program this year. On average, it said it costs $100 per child to provide healthy food each week during the school year.