Knoxville, TN (WOKI) – United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK) is distributing $200,000 in emergency funding for food distribution and assistance services in Knoxville.
“We’ve continued to convene community voices and talk with our nonprofit agency partners, and the need for food assistance remains critical,” UWGK CEO Chrystal Armstrong Brown said. “The partnership with the United Way and City of Knoxville to pool these emergency funds is a prime example of the efficient and effective impact we can make when we work united. From funding approval to disbursement of grants has been just eight days, and the nine recipient nonprofit agencies will immediately put this money into action to make sure Knoxville families and individuals have access to food now, at Thanksgiving and in the weeks ahead.”
On. Nov. 12, Knoxville City Council unanimously approved Mayor Indya Kincannon’s emergency ordinance to help support food assistance programs in the Knoxville area, allocating $100,000 from the City’s Unassigned Fund Balance to address critical food shortages in Knoxville. In turn, UWGK agreed to match funds, resulting in a total of $200,000 to support food assistance services. All funds from the City of Knoxville will be applied only to food distribution initiatives within the City.
“Thank you, United Way of Greater Knoxville, for matching our emergency dollars and making sure this critical funding is getting into the hands of those who need it most – quickly,” Kincannon said. “Even though the government shutdown has ended, local food banks have been tapped, and the need is still there. With the holidays right around the corner, this support will help fill in the gaps for local families.”
United Way invited 16 eligible organizations to apply for grant funding; 10 responded, and nine are receiving funds. One applicant did not meet the criteria as the program submitted for funding is not currently in operation.
Grant funding recipients include:
§ Battlefield Farm/Knox County Community Gardens & Growers’ Alliance
§ Bridge Refugee Services
§ East Tennessee Equality Council
§ Knox Haven
§ Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation
§ Knoxville-Knox County CAC – Community Action for Affordable Neighborhoods (CAAN)
§ New Direction Health Care Solutions
§ Wesley House Community Center
§ YMCA
“We are grateful for this generous support, especially at a time when so many families are facing heightened food insecurity,” Wesley House Executive Director Porschia Pickett said. “This funding will allow Wesley House to reach more households, strengthen our response efforts, and ensure that our essential services continue without interruption.”
Through the application process, grant funding is specified for programs and initiatives that specifically provide food resources and distribution to community members in need. The applications were reviewed by UWGK volunteer committee members, and the recipients were approved by the UWGK board of directors’ executive committee and reported to the City of Knoxville. Funds currently are being distributed to the organizations.
This collaborative effort comes as food banks and community food providers have reported significant requests for assistance, following the disruption of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, but also continuing after the reopening of the federal government and recommencing of benefits. Nearly 35,000 Knox County residents rely on SNAP benefits. A recent survey shows local food banks have experienced a 20-50% increase in requests for services.
UWGK has convened more than 200 individuals from the community in the past several weeks to identify needs, resources and trends, and food assistance continues to be a major area of need ongoing and seasonally going into the holiday season and winter months. To learn more about UWGK, visit http://uwgk.org.
