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Tri-State Food Pantry Has Food, Needs Volunteers

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

Harry Abell, a volunteer with the Tri-State Food Pantry, was discouraged that the Lookout Mountain group was unable to distribute food in October because they did not have volunteers who could lift the boxes.

Tri–State Food Pantry volunteers load boxes at the Sand Mountain location.

The Tri-State Food Pantry’s main location is on Sand Mountain where they distribute food at Sand Mountain United Methodist Church twice a month. They also distribute once a month at West Brow Fire & Rescue Station on Lookout Mountain and once a month at Rising Fawn United Methodist Church on Highway 11.

Rose Powell is in charge of the food pantry, and she reports, “On Sand Mountain, we have a pretty steady core that we can depend on.” Volunteers on Sand Mountain load the boxes of food starting at noon on the first Friday of each month, and the Lookout Mountain volunteers unload the food starting at 1:30 p.m. People who qualify for the food drive to the location, and volunteers load it into their cars.

She notes that the pantry was started by Sand Mountain United Methodist about 30 years ago. “We’re not running short on food, and we can get the food packed.” It’s the West Brow location that lacks consistent volunteers.

The food pantry is now a USDA agency. According to Powell, “We follow government guidelines about who we give the food to in terms of income and residency. Being a federal agency gives us access to a variety of healthy foods.”

In addition to the federal support through Atlanta Community Food Bank, Powell notes, “We also receive support from United Way of Greater Chattanooga and a number of churches from a variety of denominations.”

According to Abell, “The problem is that most of the volunteers are in their 70s or older. Many of us aren’t able to lift 40-pound boxes.”

Part of the issue is that many younger, able-bodied people are working during the day on Friday. Abell says, “We thought about moving it to Saturday, but then you’ve got young families who are doing stuff with their kids.” He hopes that some local businesses will consider letting employees volunteer for an hour.

Abell reports, “We need about four or five volunteers per month. We’ve loaded it in less than 45 minutes before, and unloading could be done in the same amount of time.”

Abell’s dream is to have a regular schedule, perhaps with a quarterly rotation, so that there will be no uncertainty about whether or not they’re able to distribute food. “I’d like to see volunteers, hopefully men between 20 and 50 years old, who could do it on a regular basis.”

Abell notes that Southeastern Lineman Training Center has helped before, and he’s also reached out to Covenant College. Some athletics programs at the college have expressed interest in volunteering. “I’ll keep pursuing that,” he says.

Volunteers unload boxes at the Lookout Mountain location where strong volunteers are needed.

He is also thankful that the local U-Haul regional manager has partnered with them to transport the food. “He has been quite helpful to us, allowing us to rent the U-Haul at a reduced cost.”

Carey Anderson, the county’s clerk and public information officer, has also been working to find volunteers. She says, “I’ve reached out to the high school to see if there are students who need community service hours. I’ve reached out to Joe Chambers (jail administrator) to see if inmates would be an option. I’ve reached out to our Hub churches (a group of local churches who address needs in the community) so they can let their congregants know that there’s a need for volunteers.”

Powell and Abell both noted the quality of the food and the impact it has on those in need. Abell reports, “We have plenty of food, and it’s good, nutritious food with a lot of variety.”

Powell reports that the monthly boxes help those who are managing tight budgets. “The people who qualify live on a very low income. We have a lot of repeat clients who know that the monthly food box helps them manage their budget. We also have people who come occasionally when they have an unexpected bill or something like a car repair come up.”

Powell notes that many senior citizens, those with disabilities, and some households with young children utilize the program.

Because of its proximity to Alabama, the food pantry occasionally has requests for help from Alabama residents. Powell reports that because the federal system operates by state, Alabama residents must go through the Flat Rock Community Food Bank. “It’s about 15 miles from us, and it serves Flat Rock, Ider, Higdon, and Bryant areas.”

To learn about other food and aid available for Alabama residents and Dade County residents alike, read the Sentinel’s companion article in this edition, “Organizations, Churches, and Volunteers Work to Meet Needs in Local Community.”

If you would like to volunteer at the Lookout Mountain location, please contact Rose Powell at (423) 316-0384 or Harry Abell at (423) 618-8973.

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