Big Sandy is a community of around 540 people a couple hours west of Nashville. One of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s Partner Agencies — Big Sandy Christian Community Outreach Center (CCOC) — provides nutritious food for about a third of the town’s population.

Through its partnerships with organizations like Second Harvest, the Center provides both after-school and summer programs for children, delivers meals to homebound individuals, distributes emergency food boxes and serves hot meals daily. And as part of their ambitious goal to provide a holistic approach to meeting the community’s nutritional needs, they hope to eventually open a food pantry, too.

Greg Hauck is the pastor, president and CEO of Big Sandy CCOC, and his wife, Wendy, serves as its secretary. With students’ upcoming summer break from school, they’re anticipating an increase in need. They estimate that more than half the children they serve aren’t able to eat meals at home during the summer months.

“Lots of families can’t afford daycare, so our organization [makes sure] that the kids eat over the summer and holidays,” Wendy says.

Big Sandy CCOC’s children’s programs also include art projects, dance class, exercise and more. Participants learn about nutrition and grow fresh produce themselves in a community garden down the street from the Center.

Greg and Wendy say they wouldn’t be able to provide food assistance without their partnership with Second Harvest — and they know what a vital role friends like you play in providing meals and groceries.

“When you hear that families go without, it’s just heartbreaking,” Wendy says. “To me, your donations mean that children and families don’t go hungry, and that’s the bottom line.”

Communities across Middle and West Tennessee are so grateful for your partnership. Thank you for ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious food!