Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee held its annual Spring for Food Awards dinner recently at Scrambled Jake’s. These awards recognize individuals, companies, pantries and supporters who are dedicated to Second Harvest’s mission to lead the community in the fight to end hunger. In 2021, Second Harvest distributed over 21 million pounds of food and served an average of 142,000 people each month thanks in part to the Spring for Food Awards winners. Four agencies were recognized as Agency the Year including Bybee United Methodist Church, The ARK Food Pantry, Sunset Gap Community Center and Bread Basket Central. Melissa Eads with Kroger was presented the Murray R. Petersen Award, while Volunteer of the Year was presented to the Sunshine Group from ARC of Knox County. The Robin Rolland Grant which included $1,000 to be used for their food pantry went to Johnson’s Chapel Church. Cherokee Health Systems was named Friend of the Year, while Aslan Foundation was named Partner of the Year. Other recipients included Matt Hinkin who received the Advocacy Award, the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Blount County who received the Innovation Award and Sam’s Club West and Sam’s Club East joined together to celebrate being named the Food Rescue Hero of the Year.