Despite the cancellation of Feed Fannin’s largest fundraiser of the year, Bowls of Hope, along with other challenges, the group has been able to provide food to everyone who has visited Fannin County Family Connection’s food pantry.
Feed Fannin is responsible for 100% of the cost of food purchased from regional food banks for the pantry.
The Chattanooga Food Bank was not charging for milk orders for the food pantry by April, however, and Feeding America Network issued the pantry a $12,000 grant for food purchase.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry saw a “huge surge of clientele in need,” Priscilla Cashman, food pantry liaison, said.
In April, May and June, 657 families came to the pantry for help. For 112 of those families, it was the first time they have ever visited. The total number of individuals served during that time was 4,839.
“For a while after the cancellation of Bowls of Hope in March, we had calls asking ‘How can we help,’ and soon we began receiving unexpected checks in the mail and two to three donations on our website via PayPay each day,” Feed Fannin Treasurer Carlos Martel said at the organization’s July meeting.
Additionally, the majority of event ticket holders allowed Feed Fannin to keep their money, which helped reduce the organizations shortfall, according to Diane Payne, volunteer.
The organization plans to host a virtual auction in August in place of the silent auction that would’ve taken place during Bowls of Hope.
Details are still being ironed out, according to Payne.
Donations through Facebook have totaled $1,500 thus far. Various restaurants have donated non-perishable food items as well as money during the pandemic – one donor even donated their entire stimulus check, and another supplied 1,000 pounds of flour.
“We have heard from many new donors this spring and summer who have given us checks or made online donations via our website (www.feedfannin.com),” said Martel. “The donations have ranged from $20 up to $5,000.”
Through Tri-State Electric Membership Corporation’s Operation RoundUp program, Feed Fannin received a $4,500 grant.
Since May, donations have slowed, Payne said, but they have been able to continue meeting demands.
“Feed Fannin is very grateful for these generous donations,” Feed Fannin Chair Ron Ciochon said. “We are so appreciative of the many businesses and individual supporters in our community who have come forward, eager to give during these difficult times. Their donations are helping us keep pace with the needs of families, children and an increasing number of seniors seeking food assistance from the food pantry at Fannin County Family Connection.”