Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off phase II of their building expansion project on January 30, 2024.

The building expansion is an important initiative of the Food Bank’s Strategic Plan to help meet the growing need for hunger relief in Northeast Tennessee and part of their long-range transformational strategies to lower food insecurity to 5% by 2030.

A key initiative of Second Harvest’s Strategic Plan is to expand the current building to help meet the growing need for hunger relief in our service region. The 9,360-square-foot building expansion will increase the food bank’s capacity to distribute nourishing food to those in need in the area and enhance the volunteer experience.

Phase I included an internal expansion of the current volunteer center, which increased the volunteer work area and improved the space where volunteers sort and pack food for distribution. Phase II will include the external expansion, including a new volunteer area and an office complex. The volunteer area will consist of a reception and registration area, volunteer training space, breakroom with kitchenette, and conveniently located restrooms. The new office complex will accommodate the growing operational staff and include a small meeting room and office areas.

“This building expansion will accommodate the growing number of volunteers and staff needed to meet the rising need in our region. This expansion will give volunteers the space to work and train and provide conveniently located restrooms and a break area.

Along with more volunteers, we also have a growing staff that needs office and meeting space. The new space will provide a central location allowing for improved communication, streamlined workflow, and access to resources.” said Executive Director Rhonda Chafin.

Food City is a long standing supporter of Second Harvest and Second Harvest is most appreciative of Food City’s $50,000 donation to support the building expansion. 

PICTURED (LEFT TO RIGHT):

Kristen Reedy – Second Harvest Development Director

Rhonda Chafin – Second Harvest Executive Director

Steve Smith – Food City President/CEO

David Robinson – Food City District Manager

Brad Slagle – Food City Store Manager

About Second Harvest  

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee has led the effort to end hunger in Northeast Tennessee since 1986. It is the only food bank serving the eight-county region incorporating Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties. Their mission is to feed the hungry in Northeast Tennessee by securing and distributing food and engaging our community in the fight to end hunger through regional partnerships, programs, and education. In addition to serving partner agencies, Second Harvest administers programs that directly benefit individuals and families at risk for hunger. The Food Bank is a 501 c3 non-profit organization located in Kingsport, Tennessee, and is a member of Feeding America, the Nation’s largest Food Bank network netfoodbank.org 

About Food City

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 152 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.