The Chattanooga Area Food Bank awarded 36 agencies with a mini grant in the first phase of funding to build capacity in Partner Agencies. Each agency will receive shopping credit that will allow them to increase their capacity to serve their communities. The Partner Agencies are located in 15 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
Every Partner Agency that applied for funding expressed how the need in their community has increased due to COVID-19. Partner Agencies were awarded funding up to $13,000.
“There continues to be an elevated need for food assistance, and for some in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia recovery will take years," said Jennifer Lockwood Fritts, Grants and Communications director. "The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is committed to investing in our Partner Agencies, supporting them in their individual needs, and ensuring that every individual and family is able to access healthy and nutritious food."
This funding will provide an additional 131,667 meals to individuals and families by June.
In Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, 161,770 adults and children, affecting one in six, may experience food insecurity in 2021.