In 1982, local civic and church leaders organized a commitee of concerned citizens to address hunger issues in Hamilton County.  Their idea was to collect surplus food from the food industry to share with the needy in our community.  This was the beginning of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

Soon, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank began operations out of donated warehouse space that house newsprint for the Chattanooga Times.  During its first year of operations, the Food Bank provided 600,000 pounds of food to hungry families.

In 2010, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank distributed more than 10 million pounds of food to residents and agencies in our 20-county service area.  Our service area covers 11 counties in southeast Tennessee and 9 counties in northwest Georgia.

The Food Bank’s mission of “bridging the gap between America’s food bounty and those who cannot provide for themselves” would not be possible without the strong support of our local community.

From corporate donors, such as General Mills and McKee Foods, to individuals in the community who give their time, talents and financial contributions, it is the sum of the efforts that helps the Food Bank provide for 20,000 people in our area each week.