Murfreesboro, TN — The local community stepped up and showed out for the ninth annual Hometown Huddle. Formerly a playground refurbishing event, the focus pivoted to providing access to healthy food for our community’s youth due to the ongoing pandemic and the increased time out of school. For the second year, Hometown Huddle was a food drive and sort-a-thon event for children experiencing food insecurity during school breaks.

On Thursday, October 28th, over 70 volunteers gathered at Patterson Park Community Center to pack 750 lunchboxes full of 31,000+ nonperishable, nutrient-rich items for students of the local school districts. Following distribution to the schools, these will be given out to students in need before going home for Thanksgiving break.

“The Bold Goals 2030 initiative has a focus on meeting basic needs as well as enhancing nutrition in our community,” said Meagan Flippin, President and CEO of the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. “While the focus of the Hometown Huddle event has always been around health eating and physical activity, we recognized an opportunity last year to better meet the needs of local students by ensuring access to healthy foods while away from school. For some students, the meals served at their school may be the only meals they receive.”

 

This event was presented by Publix Super Markets and Publix Super Markets Charities. Additional event sponsors include: Chromalox, Regions Bank, First Bank, Fully Promoted, City of Murfreesboro Water Resources, Wilson Bank & Trust, City of Murfreesboro Patterson Park, Cornerstone Financial Credit Union, Ingram Content Group and Rich’s Products.

For more information about United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties events and volunteer opportunities, visit yourlocaluw.org.