2nd Harvest requests $50,000 from Sullivan County for backpack program; commissioners ask for budget detail

Rhonda Chaffin, chief executive officer of 2nd Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, told the Sullivan County Commission the food bank currently serves about 1,400 county children through its backpack program and described broader regional operations as she sought a one‑time $50,000 county contribution to expand weekend and after‑school food access.

The sponsor introducing the resolution cited county food‑insecurity figures and asked commissioners to support the backpack program. "Right now, we're currently serving 1,400 children in the Sullivan County school system with food," Chaffin said during her presentation, describing mobile distributions, pantry partners and the organization’s audits and reporting obligations for federal commodities. The presentation noted the organization’s annual operating budget and recent food purchases; Chaffin said the food bank’s budget is roughly $8 million and that it had purchased more than $2 million in food in recent months to meet demand.

Commissioners emphasized the need and asked clarifying questions. Commissioners asked whether the program serves kindergarten through 12th grade students, how frequently packs are distributed, and where additional county funds would appear in the budget. Chaffin said the program generally serves K–12 students and that packs are distributed for nights or weekend use; she said teachers select students they believe are chronically food insecure. Commissioner Harvey urged colleagues to consider the funding request as a response to feeding hungry children rather than as a standard nonprofit grant, saying, "I'm asking commissioners to please shine your light on this critical and essential need in our community."

Before any appropriation was made, commissioners requested a budget breakdown and the county’s occupancy‑tax balance to understand funding availability. The sponsor rolled the item to next week’s meeting for first reading and further review; no appropriation vote was taken this evening.

What happens next: The sponsor will present the item on first reading next week with additional budget detail, at which point commissioners may vote to appropriate funds or seek alternatives.