Food to the Rescue prepares for annual collection drive

Tillman Swann, left, holds jars of donated peanut butter for Food to the Rescue, and Finn Swann shows off the group's logo on a T-shirt.

Food to the Rescue is preparing to “Spread the Love” with the annual collecting of 16-ounce jars of peanut butter for underserved children in Putnam and Overton counties. This event is held every September and will add a jar of peanut butter to boxes delivered to more than 800 children who rely on the free breakfast and lunches not available during breaks from school.

Food to the Rescue was the vision of local community leader Ashley Swann.

“After learning there were children who do not eat while on school breaks, I knew something had to be done, and with the help of my family and friends, Food to the Rescue was born,” Swann said.

The multi-denominational Christian organization now comprises local churches, businesses and citizens of Putnam County working together to make sure no child in the community is hungry.

The program officially launched with eight families in the summer of 2017; it quickly grew to over 350 children by the end of that year. This upcoming school break, Swann and her crew of volunteers will deliver food to more than 800 children.

This organization provides quick meals and nutritious snacks as well as a few family meal options each school break with a total of six deliveries each year. Volunteers procure, pack and deliver directly to the homes of students who are on school breaks and do not receive that free breakfast and lunch provided by the schools.

“We would like to encourage schools and clubs and even our community organizations and others to help us ‘Spread the Love’ by donating a 16-ounce jar of peanut butter,” Swann said. “Times are hard for families, and the rising cost of food has put an extra burden on some families. We never want them to have to decide between food and the other necessities to live.”

Groups and organization are already planning to help with the drive and there will be several places to drop off those 16-ounce jars of peanut butter.

“The numbers of our food-insecure children seems to continue to grow in our area,” Swann said. “Our goal is to reach 4,800 jars of 16-ounce peanut butter which affords us the ability to give a fresh jar to the 800 kids on our list six times per year.”

Those food boxes also include other nutritious snacks and meals that will provide for the child’s needs throughout the break from free school lunches.

Food drop off locations:

First National Bank in Cookeville, Algood, and Livingston; American Bank and Trust on Neal Street and on Willow Avenue; F & M Bank; Middle TN Federal Credit Union; Wilson Bank and Trust; Swallows Insurance; Averitt Express; Mission 931; Monterey Branch Library; Sunset and Noon day Rotary; Baxter Flowers, First Cumberland Presbyterian, Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ; Central City Church, The River Church, Life Church in Cookeville and Livingston; First United Methodist Church, Washington Avenue Baptist Church, First Christian Church in Livingston, I am Worship in Livingston and Hooper, Huddleston, and Horner Funeral Home and Dyer Chapel on Willow Avenue in Cookeville.

Food Lion in Livingston as well as the stores on Jackson Street and Spring Street in Cookeville will be collecting jars of peanut butter.

Schools clubs are encouraged to join the effort to “Spread the Love” by contacting www.foodtotherescue.org or email [email protected].