CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The recent power outage left thousands of residents without access to electricity. Some neighborhoods have spent nearly four days in the dark. Local utility companies are working around the clock;  it’s only a matter of time before everyone is restored. Yet the extended loss of power has left many community members wondering with a new challenge – the loss of food.

According to FoodSafety.gov, in an emergency situation or power outage food can be kept safe in a refrigerator approximately four hours. However food such as meat, poultry, eggs, and some dairy products should be tossed if they were held above 40 degrees for two hours. See this chart to determine if your food is still safe.

When hours turned to days, many residents had no choice but to discard of their refrigerated food. Some homes lost hundreds of dollars worth of food, and are now struggling to find a way to replenish.

Where to Find Support

If you’re looking for food assistance the following organizations in Clarksville-Montgomery County provide nutrition support:

Manna Cafe
605 Providence Blvd
(931) 933-0970
Hot Meals: 11a – 4p, Monday – Thursday
Friday 11/1 Emergency Food Pantry begins at 10am

Loaves and Fishes
215 Foster Street
(931) 645-9020
Hot Meals: 10:30-Noon, Monday – Saturday

Trinity Episcopal
317 Franklin Street
(931) 645-2458
Hot Meals: 6pm, Wednesday
(Donations are suggested: $7/person or $14/family but no one is turned away)

Madison Street United Methodist Church
319 Madison Street
(931) 647-0221
Hot Meal: 5pm, Wednesday
(Donation: $5/person)

Radical Mission
150 Richview Rd
(931) 648-1496
Food Assistance Available: 9am – 12:45pm

First Christian Church
516 Madison Street
office@firstchristianchurch.com
Food Pantry every Tuesday 10 a.m-2 p.m. (guests will need to bring a ID)

The Well
224 Union Street
(931) 802-2889
Hot Meals: 5pm – 6pm, Monday and Wednesday
Call for Food Assistance: 931-647-0221

The local chapter of the American Red Cross does not operate a food pantry but the organization is providing disaster relief assistance.

“American Red Cross can help if your home has been damaged by the storm. Please call 931-645-6401 and let us know your name, address, and phone number,” said Pamela Holz, executive director of the Tennessee River Chapter of the American Red Cross. “As soon as we are able, we will send a Disaster Action Team to assess the damage, and a caseworker will be in contact with you.”

How You Can Help

If you’re looking for an opportunity to support your community all of the agencies above can use your help!

Although Manna Cafe was also one of the many organizations without power, the non-profit continues to operate. Generators were brought in to continue serving hot meals. Now the agency is asking for financial support from the public as they continue to provide food resources and hot meals to much of the population affected by the extended power outages.

“Many of our clients sustained damage to their homes and lost power; their food thawed and spoiled, and they had no way to cook,” explained Kenny York, director of Manna Cafe. “Our power was down too, so we operated on generators, ran several refrigerated trucks day and night, and implemented other expensive emergency power sources. This has led to unexpected expenses for us during a challenging time.”

If you are interested in dropping off food, volunteering, or making a monetary donation, contact any of the organizations listed above to provide assistance.