The 2025 Hunger Walk

The Monteagle-Sewanee Rotary Club Annual Hunger Walk was held on September 20, 2025. The weather was beautiful, spirits were high, the turnout was exceptional. And best of all - generous donors and participants were responsible for donations that exceeded donations of all previous years. All contributions will go to support the three local food ministries in our area - CAC, Grundy County Food Bank, and Morton Memorial United Methodist Church Food Ministry. This year the Hunger Walk raised more than $100,000 for these organizations. We are so proud of Rotarian Kathy Henslee for her oversight and leadership in organizing this wonderful event. And we also thank the students from the University of the South who were diligent in their skills at fundraising. The entire plateau benefits from the work of so many people who have a heart for our neighbors who experience food insecurity.

What is Food Insecurity?

“Food insecurity is an official term from the USDA. It's when people don't have enough to eat and don't know where their next meal will come from. It's a big problem in the United States, where 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity annually. However, many more people, including millions who do not meet the definition of food insecure—turn to the charitable food sector for support.”

Source: Feeding America

FOOD INSECURITY RATES BY COUNTY

Grundy County Food Bank

The Grundy County Food Bank (GCFB) is dedicated to helping those in need in the Grundy County area. Board members and volunteers work to ensure no person goes hungry. Food distributions are every Tuesday morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 114 South Industrial Road, Coalmont, Tennessee. Eligible members in Grundy County may come once a month to receive food for their families. According to GCFB director, Theresia Campbell, the food bank will lose $103,000 due to cuts to USDA. GCFB serves over 300 families monthly; a one-third to one-half increase in need from last year.

Morton Memorial Food Mission

Morton Memorial Food Mission (MMFM) serves 12,000 pounds of food to approximately 240 to 275 families in the South Cumberland Plateau community on the second Saturday of each month. They recently said “Food insecurity is difficult and real. It touches both the young and the old, those who are working as well as those who are retired and leaves people stripped of their pride and dignity. We work diligently to provide healthy, sustainable food for our Saturday Family.” Morton Food Mission Director, Alyse Getty, shared “I don’t know what the overall impact [of cuts to USDA, Medicaid and SNAP] will be nor when we shall feel it. So many variables that impact our families in need. Cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, impacts to roll backs to farmers, other services relying on federal dollars, and the list goes on and on…it’s overwhelming!” Ms. Getty relayed concerns as the Food Mission’s community of neighbors and supporters brace for impacts yet unknown, the level of uncertainty and challenge are at an all-time high.

Community Action Committee

The Community Action Committee (CAC) has served the Sewanee community and beyond for over 50 years. The CAC food pantry is open Monday – Friday for 2 hours each morning, offering non-perishable canned goods, dry goods, fresh vegetables, eggs, bread, meat, personal care items, and paper products. Per Sarah Edmonds, CAC Director, “There is no way to fully encapsulate or understand the meaning of CAC to our neighbors who receive groceries from us, but we know the food pantry is making a difference in our community.” The number of weekly visitors has doubled at CAC. On average, they have approximately 150 visits a month, an increase compared to 80 visits a month in 2024. The funds raised through the annual Hunger Walk support more than half of CAC’s annual food budget.