Second Harvest: Need For Food Up, Donations Down

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee says donations continue to lag, even as still more people are depending on the nonprofit for meals.

Since the recession hit, Second Harvest says demand for its services has roughly doubled. But CEO Jaynee Day says donations of food and money are both down more than a quarter in the last year. Day thinks the weak economy has worn down would-be givers.

“You know a lot of people are worried, and they’re very guarded of their finances, and so I think charities – we’re not the only charity that’s down in contributions, but ours are pretty significant.”

Day spoke as state and metro officials wrapped up a drive that raised a few dozen tons of food for Second Harvest. But with a goal of providing some 9 million meals over the holidays, the food bank still has a long way to go.