ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE) — As inflation continues to drive grocery prices higher, places like the Second Harvest of East Tennessee have seen an increase of people in need.
“They really rely on this to be that supplemental source to the food that they can buy at the store, because their food dollars are just not going far enough,” said Path of Hope Coach Kevin Kilmer.
Through their Path of Hope program, Alcoa Community Food Connection partnered with the Second Harvest of East Tennessee to combat food insecurity in a new way.
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“We wanted to basically go further and help teach people how to, basically resolve some of the issues they have in the life that cause them to come and get food from the community food connection here in Blount County,” said Kilmer.
While still providing food for those in need, coaches like Kevin Kilmer help families make a plan to take a step beyond a local pantry
“We’re seeing people that have struggled to meet goals in their life for over a long period of time for years and getting that excitement in their eyes when they can see that they can take a step forward and take a couple actions,” Kilmer said. “And all of a sudden, they have resolved that issue. And that’s really the reward that we receive from that.”