UCHRA Looking For Help With Special Holiday Food Distribution

UCHRA plans to distribute some ten tractor-trailers worth of food at commodity events throughout this holiday season.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is supplying the food surplus. Community Service Assistant Director Jordan Herald said it will be available at an array of distribution sites for those who meet income guidelines.

“We envision the individuals coming through the event, they’re going to be able to get, of course, more food,” Herald said. “It’s going to be probably like three times the amount they typically get.”

Herald said the Upper Cumberland community will benefit from the extra food, but distributing that much food does not come without its challenges. The warehouses used for this program cannot hold all of the food, and the commodity trucks aren’t big enough to transport it. Herald said UCHRA needs semi trucks for transporting the food to the events, and a forklift for unloading it.

“If anyone is able to help with getting the food there or getting the food off the truck, please reach out to the main office here in Cookeville,” Herald said.

In addition to the traditional canned foods like green beans and corn, some special items like nuts and raisins will be available. Herald said she is very excited about the options this will create for people who want to prepare holiday meals but struggle with the cost.