According to Feeding America, one in five children in Hamilton County don’t have a consistent source of quality food. (Image: WTVC)
Edward Clark says he’s enjoying some quality time with his three kids during the holidays, despite the difficulties they’ve gone through.
“We’ve had to come here to get back on our feet,” he said.
Clark is between jobs while also trying to move closer to his Mom in Chattanooga.
This has brought him, along with his wife and family, here to the Maclellan Shelter for Families — where they’ve lived the past three weeks as they adjust.
“They’ve helped me and my wife tremendously,” Clark said.
Especially when it comes to having a consistent source of food for their kids.
When school is on break, they’re without those guaranteed lunches.
“They bring home a school sack that’s got oranges, macaroni and cheese — healthy foods for the nourishment of their bodies,” Clark said.
“When they go home over the holiday, they might not have a meal to count on,” said Sophie Moore of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
Moore say they are trying to help kids who are food insecure.
According to Feeding America, one in five children in Hamilton County don’t have a consistent source of quality food.
That’s where these come in — food boxes.
“They’re not just stuffing a box of food — they’re actually putting food together to help make a meal,” Moore said.
It’s all to feed the people who might otherwise go hungry during the holidays
“They can come here to get food without judgement and never have to prove that they are facing hunger,” Moore said.
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is welcoming donations.
They are asking for nonperishable food and also foods like individual, single-serve portions of macaroni and cheese, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned meats, and peanut butter.
The Food Bank says for every one dollar donated, it provides four meals for people in need.