The Chattanooga Area Food Bank will receive $55,005 in federal stimulus money as reimbursement for helping people through the recession.
Food Bank Director Clare Sawyer said the money, which comes through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, will be spent on food to rebuild reserves.
"We've seen a 20 percent increase in demand at least," she said. "Our shelves are fairly bare. We're not turning anybody away, but we just don't have any reserve."
In a prepared release, state Department of Agriculture officials and Gov. Phil Bredesen said that's exactly what's supposed to happen with the total of $572,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocations to five Tennessee agencies.
"These Recovery Act funds will help put food on the table for Tennesseans in need," Gov. Bredesen said.
State Agriculture Commodity Administrator Terry Minton said state officials expect another $500,000 in recovery funds for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. That money will be used to assist nonprofit community action agencies, which also distribute food to the needy across Tennessee.
When agencies such as food banks stock and restock their shelves, the money is going right back into the economy, Ms. Sawyer said.
"It may not be creating jobs, but it's preserving jobs, and if it helps families spend what money they have on their rent or mortgages, they may not be homeless," she said.
Pam Sohn has been reporting or editing Chattanooga news for 25 years. A Walden’s Ridge native, she began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. She came to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 1999 after working at the Chattanooga Times for 14 years. She has been a city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor. As a reporter, she also has covered the police, ...
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