Manchester, Tennessee (WTVF) — Rising costs due to inflation are having a major impact on many families. One woman said it also damages places that exist to serve others.
Faye Jones, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Food Bank in Manchester, said: “Unfortunately, there are a lot of hungry people here in Coffee County.”
Some of the food was purchased from Second Harvest, while others were purchased from donors and businesses.
“The Good Samaritan is a Christian organization,” said Jones. “God wants us to help our fellow countrymen, and I feel it is our mission.”
The small orange building housing Good Samaritan serves about 750 households each month, Jones said. She said they are seeing a significant increase in demand.
“We have about 20 new families coming to us every month, and that’s a lot more people,” she said. So many people have lost their jobs.”
Inflation is also pushing people into more difficult situations.
“The demand for this variety of foods is huge,” Jones said. “There are so many people in this county who need help and they are your neighbors.”
Jones hopes to see more donations.
“Because they can be purchased tax-free and in bulk, they have more purchasing power over the dollar than the average citizen,” she said.
As for specific items, Jones is looking to donate essential items not available on Tennessee food stamps. This includes soap, shampoo and toilet paper.
“My dream is that one day I’ll close the big garage door and open it, and not a single car will show up because there’s no hunger in Coffee County,” Jones said. “That’s my dream.”