KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox Pride has operated a food pantry for some time to help people get the supplies they need to eat and take care of themselves. Recently, they announced they were expanding that mission by opening a satellite pantry at the South Press coffee shop.
The coffee shop is located on Chapman Highway. Its satellite pantry has food, personal care items and resources where people can find more help if they need it. Knox Pride said the new food pantry was a way to help grow its reach in the community.
"We have a lot of microwaveable things because a lot of the people that we work with don't have access to a traditional kitchen, and typically cook with a microwave, or with hot water," said Story Vaness, the program director.
South Press is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. Knox Pride also recently dropped off around 125 emergency backpack kits at the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee, supporting their Youth Win program which helps young people experiencing homelessness in Knoxville.
The kits are also available at the satellite pantry in South Press. The coffee shop is located at 3615 Chapman Highway.