Meet PORCH Communities, a grassroots organization that is working to fight food insecurity through neighbors helping neighbors. Founded by Christine Cotton in Chapel Hill, NC in 2010, the organization has now expanded across 10 states.

The organization works with volunteers to host monthly neighborhood food drives to gather non-perishable items + money to be donated to local food pantries.

Fun fact: In 2023, the organization generated 1.3 million pounds of food donations + worked with 2,000 volunteers.

Anne Rico, who participated in PORCH while living in Atlanta, recently moved to the Scenic City and has kickstarted PORCH Chattanooga — the organization’s first expansion into Tennessee.

"I wanted to start a chapter here in Chattanooga," Rico said. "I thought people in Chattanooga would welcome it and would love to give their time and resources."

Chattanooga's chapter, which launched in March of this year, is currently seeking volunteers + food pantries to partner with.

Volunteering is as simple as signing up to leave a bag of food on your porch each month, collecting food from the porches, or delivering the food to the local food pantry — a commitment that takes three hours a month.

“I encourage everyone to experience PORCH for themselves by taking part in the food collections because I know what a difference getting involved in even the simplest way makes,” said Cotton.

Know a local area food pantry that could use the support? You can reach out to Rico via email to recommend a partnership. As soon as a food pantry commits with PORCH, a list of the pantry's desired items will be shared + the monthly food drives will begin.

Bonus: Folks can stay up to date with PORCH Chattanooga on its new Facebook page.