The 8th annual Ms. Cheap Penny Drive for Second Harvest has been nearing its midway point.
Mary Hance of the Tennessean, also known as Ms. Cheap, started this fundraiser to raise awareness about hunger in Tennessee.
The fundraiser has consisted of collecting coins or dollar bills in a can until the end of January. At the end of the collection, people can return their cans to designated drop-off areas.
Hance said since the start of the fundraiser, she’s raised over $305,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank with the help of the community.
“Statistics show one in seven people, including one in five children in Tennessee, are at risk of hunger each day,” she said. “One of the people I talked to said that if one in seven are at risk of hunger, that means six of us can do something about it, and that’s what I’m hoping."
Hance said that the fundraiser has been a great way to have a competition with friends and family.
“We had one couple that they've been kind of snarky with each other, and they had a contest between themselves at home where every time they said something snarky, they had to put a dollar in the can. They raised a lot of money they said, and it sort of changed their attitude, too. It's a good thing for the holidays,” Hance said.
She added she hopes to help more people each year as she spreads awareness about the fundraiser.
For those who'd like to donate to the Penny Drive, penny cans can be taken to Pinnacle Financial Partners, Wilson Bank & Trust bank branches, and Second Harvest Food Bank in Metro Center.
For more information, click here.
