FEATURE RELEASE

Contact: Kimberly King

239 South Dudley,

Memphis, TN 38104

(352)-789-0121 Office/Cell

midsouthfoodbank.org

kmking4@memphis.edu

(901)-527-0841

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bad Weather Spell Leaves Food Bank in Need

MEMPHIS, Tenn. In the weeks following the unexpected winter storm which hit the Mid-South area,
the Mid-South Food Bank is in extra need of a helping hand. Since many food pantries close their doors during
harsh weather, the Mid-South Food Bank was tasked with providing food for children, families and senior
citizens during this time. The food banks shelves are now empty because delivery trucks were not able to make
it in due to unfavorable road conditions.
The weekend of February 27th, preceding the storm, the Mid-South Food Bank sent over 2,000
backpacks full of food home with children. When those supplies ran out, the Mid-South Food Bank had to take
on extra measures to ensure families and senior citizens had supplies. One of the open distribution centers was
the Neighborhood Christian Center (NCC), located on Jackson Avenue. The head of the NCC, Effie Johnson,
stressed the importance of their collaboration with the Mid-South Food Bank saying We are front-line
responders to people in need, however, volunteers during this time were scarce.

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If you are asking yourself, what can I do to help, there are three main ways in which members of the
Mid-South community can get involved in restocking and building the Mid-South Food Bank back up after this
past weeks events.
Of course, monetary donations are always greatly appreciated. 96 cents of every dollar donated goes to
feeding children, families and seniors in our community. A gift of only $15 can provide 45 meals. Donations
are accepted through various outlets. You can donate by visiting the Mid-South Food Bank directly located at
239 South Dudley, Memphis, TN 38104. Checks by mail are also accepted. Checks should be made payable to
Mid-South Food Bank and mailed to the main office. Online donations are accepted at
www.midsouthfoodbank.org/givefunds. Memorial gifts can also be made by going online. Phone donations are
taken at 901.373-4012, and any other questions considering monetary donations can be answered by Denise
Stetz through email at dstetz@midsouthfoodbank.org.
You can also greatly help by donating food items such as canned goods, produce and dairy products.
Food can be dropped off at the Mid-South Food Bank main location or at any three of our satellite donation
sites: Beth Shalom Synagogue, Two Men & a Truck (Bartlett), Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Operation is the Mid-South Food Banks largest and arguably the most impactful food and funds drive
of every year. This particular campaign encourages friendly competition between companies in the Mid-South
region to gather food/funds in support of the Mid-South Food Banks efforts during the busy summer months
when kids are out of school and families are in need of assistance. Your company can get involved today by
visiting midsouthfoodbank.org/operationfeed.
The most vital service needed by the Mid-South Food Bank is volunteers. In the last fiscal year, the
Mid-South Food Bank saved more than $1.3 million by means of 16,000 volunteers donating 60,255 hours of
their time. There are many opportunities in which you can donate your time and volunteer for the Mid-South
Food Bank. If you go online to midsouthfoodbank.org/volunteer, there is a directory in which you can register
to volunteer. From here, you can select the available times that best suit your schedule. Short and long-term
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volunteers are always welcome at the Mid-South Food Bank. Group volunteer events are also
encouraged. The group application is located online also at midsouthfoodbank.org/volunteer, or you can contact
Paula Rushing at 901-373-0400.
If you are interested in organizing your own personal food/funds drive at your business or organization
in support of the Mid-South Food Bank, it could not be easier than going online to
midsouthfoodbank.org/givefood. There you will easily be able to access a link entitled food bank drive guide.
Immediately following, contact our friendly Community Relations Manager, David Stephens at
dstephens@midsouthfoodbank.org or he would be happy to talk by phone at 901-497-1153.
The Mid-South Food Bank invites you to become a long-term part of our family. We are here to serve
people of the Mid-South in any way possible, and would love for you to help us in our mission to let no one
under our watch go to bed hungry. Month after month we are contunusly greatful for those who support our
efforts through giving. Mid-South Food Bank President and CEO, Estella Mayhue-Greer, says those who dont
have a lot to give, give a lot. The generosity of the people of the Mid-South bless us and our community, and
we look forward to what we can come together to do during this time of great need.
About the Mid-South Food Bank
Founded in 1981 as a member of Feeding America, the Mid-South Food Bank reaches out to those living in
west Tennessee, north Mississippi and east Arkansas. Annually, the food bank reaches an estimated 230,000
people, serves 288 agencies and supports 293 food-providing programs.
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