The Chattanooga Area Food Bank (Food Bank), Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia’s largest hunger relief organization serving 20 counties, announced two of their partner agencies, Joyful Sound Church of God in Chattanooga and Valley View Baptist Church in Cleveland, were chosen for “The Great Pantry Makeover” by Food Lion Feeds.
Now in its third year, "The Great Pantry Makeover" doubled its efforts, expanding from 30 pantry makeovers to 60 this year, in honor of Food Lion's 60th anniversary. These food pantries were chosen from across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. Once the final list of 60 pantries was announced, the Food Bank surprised both Joyful Sound and Valley View with the exciting news.
Joyful Sound Church of God and Valley View Baptist Church are both very committed to serving their communities, working closely with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and going above and beyond to ensure people in their area do not go without meals. Joyful Sound, nestled in East Lake between downtown Chattanooga and downtown Rossville, has operated its food pantry for 22 years, and currently provide for 450-500 families per month. Valley View saw a need in its rural Bradley County community in 2001, and began serving their hungry neighbors out of a church closet. They have grown their operations over the years, now serving between 180-210 people in their community who are predominantly elderly and disabled.
Pantry improvements, completed by Food Lion associates, included installing shelves and equipment to expand capacity for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products, painting and cleaning pantries and stocking pantry shelves with food.
"At Food Lion, we are committed to nourishing the towns and cities we serve," said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. "The Great Pantry Makeover provides our associates a great opportunity to personally connect with their neighbors to help fight hunger through local food pantry capacity expansion, refurbishment and healthy food donations."
“We are very grateful for our partnership with Food Lion, and appreciate all of their help in equipping our partner agencies to better serve their local communities,” said Laura Kilpatrick, director of Agency Government Relations for the Food Bank. “With their generous support, we are all in a better position to fight hunger in our area.”