KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – In Cocke County, a food pantry that has recently reopened is facing a significant challenge. The director of the Bread Basket, Trish Clapper, has expressed concern as the pantry is not receiving enough donations to meet the needs of all its clients. As she stated, "Food donations are not coming in like we expected and that we need more supplies for our new building."Essential Needs of the Food Pantry
There are several crucial aspects that the food pantry requires. As Clapper pointed out, "We need heat in our building. We need doors put in. We need double doors. We need a roll-up door in the front. There’s so many things we need to help our community." These physical improvements are essential for the proper functioning and accessibility of the pantry. Additionally, the shelves are currently empty, and there is a doubt about having enough food to make it through the New Year.Impact on Thanksgiving and Christmas
The situation has a direct impact on holiday meals. Clapper said it is a blessing to have a new building, but they won't be able to provide Thanksgiving meals to people this year. Usually, they give 800 Thanksgiving meals annually, and there is a concern that a similar situation might occur for Christmas. This highlights the urgency of increasing donations to ensure that the community can celebrate these holidays with proper food provisions.Community Support and Challenges
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis has emphasized the amazing support from the community. He said, "We have an amazing community and that is one thing that has been, in these negative situations, you try to draw as much positive and good as you can." However, despite the community's efforts, the lack of supplies means that the pantry is able to help fewer people. Clapper added, "We may even have to shut down until we can get our food replenished and have a steady supply of food coming in." This shows the delicate balance between community support and the practical needs of the food pantry.New Location and Hours
The food pantry's new facility is located at 625 Honey Bee Lane in Newport, and it is open Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Clapper attributed some of the lower numbers to the new location and hours. She said, "We thought we’d have this place just stockpiled with food, but it’s not there." This emphasizes the need for adjustments and adaptations to ensure the smooth operation of the pantry in its new setting.
