KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A group of four University of Tennessee students is making a significant impact in their community by raising funds for the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. What began as an English class project has evolved into a passionate effort to help provide meals for children in need.
Luke McCrossin, Maeve Miller, Cecilia Fermann, and Jackson Martin are working to raise $1,500 for Second Harvest’s Food for Kids program, which ensures that children have access to meals during the weekend when they are not at school. The program serves over 15,000 students across 18 counties in East Tennessee, but its operations have been heavily impacted by federal funding cuts.
“We saw that Second Harvest was running a program to raise money for food bags for kids in need, and we knew we wanted to help,” McCrossin said. “It’s important to us to support this cause and make a difference.”
Currently, the group has raised more than $1,200 through a GoFundMe campaign. This money will provide food for 11 children for an entire year, a contribution the students are proud of.
“The fundraiser has been going really well,” McCrossin added. “It’s nice knowing that the funds are going directly to help kids who might not have enough to eat when they’re not at school. It’s good to be part of something that’s truly helping out the community.”
Miller explained that the Food for Kids program is especially crucial for children who lack consistent access to food at home. “It helps kids who don’t have support at home, so they have something to eat over the weekend. It’s really important, and we’re happy to be involved in supporting it.”
The timing of the fundraiser is critical, as Second Harvest faces significant financial challenges. Due to cuts in federal funding, the food bank is receiving 43% less food than it did prior to the pandemic, leaving many shelves nearly empty. The demand for food has risen by 20% in recent years, putting additional strain on the organization’s ability to serve the community.
“The Food for Kids program is one of the most expensive at Second Harvest, and with the funding cuts, it’s become more difficult to collect enough food and resources,” Miller said. “Inflation has made everything harder, and it’s affecting everyone, including food banks like Second Harvest.”
Elaine Streno, the director of Second Harvest Food Bank, recently spoke about the challenges the organization is facing. “The cuts in funding have been difficult, and we’re seeing the impact in our ability to meet the increased demand,” Streno said. “Our clients are feeling the pinch, and unfortunately, 21 truckloads of USDA food were canceled last month due to these cuts.”
Despite these setbacks, McCrossin and his fellow students are determined to continue their fundraising efforts. They remain optimistic that their contribution can help alleviate some of the strain on the food bank’s critical programs.
“We’ve seen how much this program matters, and it’s motivating us to keep pushing,” McCrossin said. “The community has been really supportive, and we’re grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this point.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the students have raised more than $1,200, and they continue to accept donations to help meet their $1,500 goal. With the continued support of local residents and organizations, the group hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in East Tennessee.
For more information or to donate to the cause, visit the students’ GoFundMe page.
