ABOUT
FEED THE NEEDY
OUR MISSION
Feed the Needy provides resources to food impoverished neighborhoods of Memphis, TN, and surrounding areas. Through delivery of grocery items, the organization fosters enriched communities; inspiring them to rise to their full potential while nourishing the hearts and minds of people.
Feed the Needy began 29 years ago as an outreach program for Cargill’s Memphis Corn Plant. The task was to provide 50 food baskets to the area adopt a school’s program. As they began to see the need in the community, Cargill partnered with Hershey Foods, Richardson Oilseed (formerly Conagra Brands), Valero Memphis Refinery (formerly Williams Refinery), Holmes Services, Smurfit-Stone, and S &W to increase the number of families they served. The organization continued to add partners over the years and became a non-profit organization. Feed the Needy now partners with over 40 organizations to deliver food items (both perishable and non-perishable) to families in need. Some of these companies have participated in this initiative for more than 25 years.
OUR
MISSION
Feed The Needy provides resources to food impoverished neighborhoods of Memphis, TN, and surrounding areas. Through delivery of grocery items, the organization fosters enriched communities; inspiring them to rise to their full potential while nourishing the hearts and minds of people.
Our Top "3" Priorities
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Fighting hunger in impoverished neighborhoods.
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Decreasing the level of hunger in neighborhoods that suffer from food insecurity.
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Decreasing petty crimes due to food shortages.
What We Do
We provide critical meals for families during key times of the year and support local Food Pantries. We Feed The Needy.
Feed The Needy Warehouse
Feed The Needy Packed Boxes
Feed The Needy Warehouse Food
Feed The Needy Warehouse
OUR
HISTORY
Feed The Needy has been in existence for 31 years serving our neighbors. We feed those who cannot feed themselves. Individuals and families go without food during the holidays. Feed The Needy provides food baskets to the needy during the holiday season when families gather to share a holiday meal. We also share food with other local organizations that can continue this effort throughout the year.
To do this, we partner with multiple businesses in and around Memphis, TN, and bordering states. The following companies have been long-time sponsors of Feed The Needy since its start in 1994 by Cargill’s Memphis Corn Plant employees. In 1997, Cargill partnered with Hershey Foods, Richardson Oilseed (formerly ConAgra Foods), Valero Memphis Refinery (formerly William's Refinery), Holmes Services, Smurfit-Stone, and S &W Machines to come aboard and join in our food drive.
Since 2001, the following companies have come aboard to help in our efforts and donate monetary, food and volunteers each year: ADF Engineering, ADM Cares Foundation, Allen Blast Coating, A Bail Bond Co., JR Simplot, Allied Waste, B&P, Barnhart Crane & Rigging, Boling Enterprises, Ben. F. Johnson Chapter National Bar Association, Cierra Tank Services, City of Memphis, Centro, Collier international, Co-Tribute, Colton’s Steak House & Grill, D & J Metal, Dream Team Inc, DTZ UGL, Electrolux, Fairlife, G&K, Grinder-Haizlip, GWCNAA, Inc., Harcros Chemicals, Hills Services, Holliday Foundation, Hope Christian Community Foundation, ISK, Johnson Bryce, KAPPA, Kellogg's, KTG USA, L&L Truck Brokers, Mayfield Properties, Memphis Alumnae Chapter DSTS, Memphis Depot, Memphis Police Department, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Milwaukee Tool, Nalco, Nucor Steel, PCA, Pete Mitchell & Associates Inc. Insurance, Philips Mechanical, Pilot’s Income Taxes & Bookkeeping Service, Mid-South Pipes & Valves, Nucor Steel, Plant Maintenance, Railserve, Riviana Foods, Safway, Shelby County Board of Commissioners, Shelby County Sheriff and Shelby County Deputy Sheriff Associations, Shermco, SIMMCO-The Blurton Group, S.O.S Facilities Maintenance, LLC., Stegall’s & Son Trucking, Signature Offset, SunState Equipment, Telecast Media Group, Tiger Bonding, The Uplift Foundation, Thomas & Betts, Thompson Farms Trucking, Tri-State Armature, Trumbo, Twin Soup Foundation, UFCW Local 1529, United Rental, Will-Be-Que, and WestRock.
Feed The Needy has expanded its reach by supplying food baskets for the Easter holiday as well. This effort started by supplying 50 Thanksgiving food baskets during its first year and in 2024, we distributed 4,200 baskets (300,000 pounds of food). For the first time ever, we will feed all our senior centers in our program a hot, cooked meal for the holidays.
A holiday meal was provided to 735 seniors from three locations: John Madison Exum Towers, Northlake, and Wesley Graceland Garden. A total of 1,800 pounds of food was supplied for the City of Memphis Annual MemFeast Thanksgiving Dinner for individuals experiencing homelessness and hunger.
Easter, 2025, we distributed 2,400 baskets (128,000 pounds of food). The goal of Feed The Needy is to continue to grow and to service 10% more families in the coming years.