The Bread Basket food pantry provided milk to dozens of families ahead of the winter storm thanks to a local farmer and the dairy alliance.
NEWPORT, Tennessee — As a winter storm approaches Tennessee, people are rushing to grocery stores to stock up on essentials. Others are turning to local food pantries for help.
The Bread Basket Food Pantry in Newport helped more than five thousand households last year. One item they’re not able to provide as often is milk. Director Jamee Morrow said that with the help of a local dairy farmer and the Dairy Alliance, that has changed.
“Deborah Boyd put our name in the lot for getting a cooler because she knew that we went through the flood,” she said. “We’ve lost everything. We’re trying to rebuild, so she also knew how much we are doing here. We were one of the recipients, and we have one of the largest coolers able to be donated through the dairy alliance.”
She said the cooler came at the right time, helping them serve 136 families on Thursday, 26 of them being new families.
“Walmart was completely out. I know that one of the Dollar Stores was completely out,” Morrow said. “We actually had produce yesterday, and our milk went out so much faster than produce because everyone needed milk.”
The Dairy Alliance’s Assistant Director for Health and Wellness, Cindy Cooper, said dairy is among the most-requested items.
“Yet, least available in food pantries, and the reason is a lack of refrigeration. On average, food pantry recipients receive one gallon per year of milk, and they need at least one per week, depending on the family size,” Cooper said.
Morrow said it’s something so small that it makes a big difference.
“We had a guy come in yesterday. He was living out of his car, and whenever we told him that we had milk, he said, ‘I’ve not had milk for my coffee in weeks,'” she said. “He teared up knowing that we had milk. Kids are excited just to get chocolate milk, but they’re also excited just to get regular 1%, 2% milk.”
The cooler is empty now, but Morrow has faith it’ll be full again soon. This link will take you to the Bread Basket’s Facebook Page for more information on how to help out.
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