Support from the Soil: A Farmer’s Generosity in Tough Times
BELLEVUE, Tenn. – Farming can be a rollercoaster ride. Shaun Daugherty of S.E. Daugherty and Sons knows this all too well. “We went years without making a profit,” he reflects. But things are looking brighter now. He feels a strong pull to help others who are struggling.
Daugherty remembers a challenging time in his own life. “I was working full-time in college, relying on my credit card for fast food and gas,” he shares. During that tough period, a local businessman, Tom Bannen, offered him a lifeline. “He gave me $100 when he heard I was in a pinch.” That small act of generosity made a big difference.
Now, after two decades of hard work and success, Daugherty is paying it forward. He’s stepping in to support families at risk of losing their SNAP benefits. “In our community, we can’t just wait for help. We have to look out for each other.”
This Sunday, Daugherty is hosting an event to give away fresh produce—no strings attached. “We’ll have greens and sweet potatoes, and I’m getting extra apples and bread,” he explains.
Community support like Daugherty’s is crucial in these times. According to a recent report from the USDA, food insecurity rates have risen sharply, with nearly 10% of U.S. households struggling to secure enough food in 2022. This highlights the importance of local efforts to support those in need.
Daugherty hopes that by helping others, he’s inspiring a ripple effect of kindness. “I believe that if we lift each other up, we can create a stronger community,” he adds.
As social media buzzes with stories of local heroes like him, the message is clear: together, we can weather the storm.
For more on initiatives like this, you can explore the USDA’s resources on food security here.
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