As hunger rates climb, Second Harvest of East Tennessee asks for help

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Food insecurity in America has climbed to its highest rate in over a decade, with over 47 million people facing hunger, including 14 million children, according to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.

The food bank, a partner of Feeding America, serves 18 counties in the area and has worked to end food insecurity in East Tennessee since 1982.

Previous Coverage: Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee launches ‘Hunger Action Month’

According to Feeding America’s Map, the Meal Gap survey, 213,970 East Tennesseans struggle with food insecurity, representing a 33% increase over the past two years.

“Over the last year Second Harvest distributed 27.3 million pounds of food – including 7.3 million pounds of fresh produce,” said CEO of Second Harvest Elai