The 12th annual Monteagle-Sewanee Rotary Club Hunger Walk takes place Sept. 26, 9 a.m., starting at Angel Park in Sewanee. The Rotary Hunger Walk raises funds to combat food insecurity in Tennessee’s South Cumberland Plateau region by supporting its local food organizations, Morton Memorial Food Pantry, Grundy County Food Bank, and the Community Action Committee. All report need is increasing.

Food insecurity across Marion, Grundy, and Franklin counties consistently exceeds national averages, with Grundy experiencing the highest rates, reaching an overall food insecurity rate of 19.8 percent.

Grundy County, overall insecurity, 19.8 percent, child insecurity, 20.9 percent.

Marion County, overall insecurity, 17.3 percent, child insecurity, 17.6 percent.

Franklin County, overall insecurity, 15.2 percent, child insecurity, 18.3 percent.

Child Hunger Vulnerability – In Grundy County, child insecurity is especially severe, with 93 percent of food insecure children living in households that fall below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty level, making them eligible for federal nutrition programs.

The “Eligibility Gap” — Across the region, a substantial number of food-insecure individuals have incomes slightly too high to qualify for SNAP benefits, forcing heavy reliance on community meal programs and food pantries.

Rising Grocery Prices, Rising Hunger — As the cost of food skyrockets, many families are struggling to afford food and other necessities, and food banks are having to fill the gap. Without federal assistance the hunger crisis in the US will worsen.

“Do I keep the lights on or do I pay the rent on time this month?”

“Do I buy gas to get to work or risk running out of fuel to buy enough food to feed my family this week?”

These are the types of tough choices that many on the South Cumberland Plateau are forced to make each day.

You can help. Give online at <https://givebutter.com/hungerwalk2026> or mail your contribution to Monteagle-Sewanee Rotary Foundation, PO Box 336, Monteagle, TN 37356.

Levels of sponsorship – signage and print recognition for sponsors and partners: Gold Title Sponsor, $2,500; Silver Title Sponsor, $2,000; Bronze Title Sponsor, $1,000; Senior Partner, $500; Partner, $300.

Donations of any size change lives! No gift is too small or too large.