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A critical piece of equipment at one of Knox County’s longtime food pantries has been replaced thanks to an emergency grant from Food For The Hungry, allowing the ministry to continue serving families without interruption.
Church on the Rise, located at 7512 Newark Road, recently experienced a failure of the condenser on its primary food pantry freezer. The malfunction threatened the pantry’s refrigerated food supply just days before its monthly distribution.
Volunteers were able to temporarily restart the unit, preventing an immediate loss of food, while neighboring Lanning’s Foods offered backup cold storage if the freezer stopped working again. Even with those temporary measures in place, church leaders knew a permanent solution was urgently needed.
Pastor Richard Hite ordered a replacement condenser, relying on donations and community support to make a down payment while searching for a way to cover the remaining cost.
That solution came through Food For The Hungry’s Emergency Fund, which is maintained through the Knox County Foundation and supported by local donors.
After touring the pantry and learning about the situation, Food For The Hungry Board President Austin Swallow and Annual Drive and Community Relations Director Tanner Cooper-Risser encouraged Pastor Hite to apply for emergency assistance.
Within days, the Food For The Hungry Grants Committee approved the request, allowing the organization to present a check covering the remaining cost of the new condenser.
“Thank you for your kind support,” said Jeanne Hite, wife of Pastor Hite. “We know that as long as we are obedient to our mission to feed the hungry and reach the lost and hurting for Jesus Christ, the Lord will help us. Thank you again for the help Food For The Hungry has given us to continue serving those in need in our community.”
The grant ensures Church on the Rise can continue its monthly food distribution program, which served 140 local families during its July distribution.
Church leaders say the pantry has been serving Knox County residents for approximately 20 years and welcomes anyone in need. Food distributions are held on the third Saturday of each month, using a timed ticket system to help manage traffic safely along Newark Road.
Food For The Hungry officials say the emergency grant reflects the organization’s mission of responding quickly when partner agencies face unexpected challenges.
Church on the Rise previously received a $2,500 summer grant from Food For The Hungry and is one of 12 organizations receiving grants this summer, totaling $30,500.
For 45 years, Food For The Hungry has worked with local agencies throughout Knox County to combat food insecurity by providing financial assistance, food donations and emergency support to organizations serving families in need.
Church officials say the new condenser will allow the pantry to continue storing perishable food safely and ensure families who depend on the monthly distribution program continue receiving assistance without interruption.
