Food touches every part of life.

Hunger isn’t just about empty plates—it affects health, education, employment, and entire communities.

45,890

food boxes

shared with neighbor households who visited Foxwood Food Center in 2024

1,547

SNAP Applications

were submitted with the assistance of our public  benefits team

25%

of food insecure children

live in households who make too much money to be eligible for the SNAP program

The problem isn’t scarcity—it’s access.

From kids’ school programs to senior grocery support, from mobile pantries to emergency response, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank offers solutions that meet neighbors where they are. Our programs include SNAP assistance, nutrition education, community gardens, and partnerships with local farmers and producers to give families what they need.

In the U.S., there’s more than enough food to feed everyone — but hunger persists because ofbarriers to access. As the cost of living increases, fewer households facing food insecurity are eligible for SNAP benefits. That’s where the food bank and our hunger relief network come in. It’s up to us to fill the gaps and reach into communities to make sure that no one goes to bed hungry tonight.

This isn’t about scarcity — it’s aboutsystems. Understanding why hunger happens and building solutions that work.

Food insecurity doesn’t look like you think.

Hunger may be when your stomach is growling, but food insecurity is also not knowing where your next meal is coming from or how you’re going to feed your kids after you pay rent. Food insecurity affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and neighborhoods. It impacts families working multiple jobs, seniors on fixed incomes, students balancing tuition and bills, and neighbors experiencing sudden hardship.

There’s no single face of hunger—and that’s why we approach every solution withdignity and compassion. Regardless of the circumstances, food is a basic human right and we’re here to make sure our neighbors have the food they need.

The Cost of Hunger

When people go hungry, our community feels the impact.

Hunger doesn’t just affect individuals — it affects entire communities. Without access to nutritious food, kids struggle to learn, workers face challenges focusing, healthcare costs rise, and economic growth slows.

When neighbors have SNAP benefits to spend at their local grocers or markets, the local economy thrives. For every $1 of SNAP benefits, there is a $1.60 positive economic impact in the local community.

By ending hunger, we support healthier families, stronger schools, and thriving local economies.

how it works

Work with us in the way that works best for you

We work with donors, volunteers, & partners to tackle hunger from every angle.

Providing

fresh and shelf-stable groceries to families across 20 counties

Advocating

for systemic change to address root causes of food insecurity

Educating

our allies, neighbors, elected officials, and partners about the root causes and impacts of food insecurity, as well as the solutions to a hunger-free region

Partnering

with farmers, grocers, and manufacturers to reduce food waste

Empowering

communities with programs that create long-term stability and make difficult circumstances temporary

Innovating

new ways to best serve our neighbors, communities, and partners with healthy foods, resources, logistics, and capacity

How we source food

Sourcing food isn’t just about filling shelves—it’s aboutbuilding a stronger, more resilient local food system. Every pound we rescue, purchase, and distribute connects neighbors with nutritious food while reducing waste and supporting community health.

We partner withlocal grocery stores, farmers, manufacturers, and national distributorsto ensure families across 20 counties have access to delicious and healthy food. Together with our Hunger Relief Partners, we’re working to make sure thatgood food never goes to waste — and no neighbor goes hungry.

Working together to access food

Donations & Partnerships

We partner with local grocery stores, farmers, retailers, and manufacturers to rescue millions of pounds of meat, dairy, produce, and pantry staples every year — keeping food out of landfills and on family tables.

State, National, & Federal Programs

Through programs like TEFAP, GNAP, and Farm to Food Banks, we bring domestically-produced food into our network and support nutrition initiatives for kids, seniors, and families.

Purchased & Fresh Fruits

By combining bulk purchasing power with fresh produce from local farms, we make sure neighbors have access to the foods they need most.

Public Benefits & Resource Navigation

Our trained team helps neighbors access SNAP, WIC, and other critical benefits — connecting families to food, healthcare, housing, and more so they can thrive long-term.

Our Impact

6.3 million

pounds of food

was rescued from retail partners across our service region in 2025. We utilize the food already in our region to serve our neighbors.

94

cents of every dollar donated

goes toward food distribution. We keep our administrative costs low to maximize the impact of your gifts.

30%

of food distributed is produce

We put good food in reach for our neighbors.

take action

Be the reason a neighbor has a full table

When we act as one community, we can ensure every neighbor has the food they need. Volunteer, donate, and be part of creating lasting change.

Donate Volunteer