CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – An increase in traffic on Madison Street for the last several Tuesdays was a sign of how many Clarksville families have been in need of help this Christmas.

Open Door Ministries, led by Pastor Mark Hutchinson, partnered with other local organizations to give away an estimated 10,000 boxes of food to local families in need at the food distribution, which was held for five weeks at the old Eckerd/Rite Aid on Madison.

Food for the giveaway primarily came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of their COVID-19 relief measures. Tuesday’s event was the final one for this effort.

“What brought this all together is the state of our world. As we look at COVID-19 and knowing that many so many families have been affected in so many ways,” said Johnnie C. Smith, one of the event organizers. “It has been a wonderful experience just to watch so many people and families be blessed by this experience and the Clarksville community.”

The drive almost ended early due to all the food having been given away, Smith said. However, another truck arrived Tuesday morning, allowing the giveaway to continue as planned.

Clarksville answers local need

Due largely to the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has seen an drastically increased need for food distribution.

According to Feeding America, food banks nationwide have given out approximately 4.2 billion meals, with many seeking assistance for the first time. This increase represents the most significant spike in food insecurity since the Great Depression.

Smith said the success of their efforts in Clarksville were thanks to a strong team effort.

Groups like Manna Café Ministries, Urban Ministries, YAIPaks, Radical Missions, 211 Ministries, Loaves & Fishes and United Way of Greater Clarksville have offered food, shelter, assistance with bills, showers and more to people in need.

“The awesome thing is that if you are saying you’re hungry in Clarksville, something’s wrong,” said Dwight Jamison with the I’m Invisible Bullying and Suicide awareness group. “If you reach out to any of us, we are there for you no matter what’s going on.”

Among the volunteers for the Madison Street giveaway were several members of Austin Peay State University’s Greek organizations, whom Smith said had been integral to their efforts.

“This is what we do to give back. Today was just another opportunity to do that,” said Yolanda Williams, an alumni representative for Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

“We have more than enough. The food pantries at Austin Peay and the shelter there are overflowing. We just don’t have enough students to give it away. This is just overflowing into the community more and more,” said David Davenport, president of the Kappa Alpha Psi alumni chapter.