SNAP helps 41.7M Americans afford food, but a shutdown could halt benefits starting November 1.
With more than 690,000 Tennesseans expected to lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, food distribution sites are mobilizing to meet a surge in need across the state.
Gov. Bill Lee's office has said the state will not declare a state of emergency or consider using $2 billion in reserve funds to support SNAP benefits for Tennesseans. At least four other governors, including Republicans Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Jeff Landry of Louisiana, have declared a state of emergency to use state funds to temporarily support benefits.
Tennessee has launched FeedTN.org, a centralized hub connecting residents with food resources. The platform is a collaboration among Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way, Catholic Charities, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Mid-South Food Bank and hundreds of community and faith-based organizations.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services is working with multiple state agencies to identify additional resources for residents facing food insecurity. The Department of Agriculture continues to administer the Emergency Food Assistance Program in partnership with Tennessee's five regional food banks. TennCare's CHOICES program also provides a daily meal delivery benefit for older adults and adults with physical disabilities enrolled in the program.
In Franklin, nonprofit OneGenAway is expanding its food distributions to ensure families have access to essential groceries during the disruption. Beginning Nov. 4, the organization will host weekly drive-thru food pickups, distributing 18-pound boxes of shelf-stable food and 10-pound boxes of fresh produce -- no ID or registration required. Details will be available at onegenaway.com ahead of the first event.
OneGenAway is also tripling the reach of its Doorstep Pantry delivery program to cover most of Williamson County, adding 16 pop-up food distributions and partnering with the Metro Nashville Police Department to provide 200 food boxes each week at nine substations.
Contributions can be made at onegenaway.com/donate.
Where else to find free food in Middle Tennessee
This list will be updated.
Where to Turn's weekly food schedule: A regularly updated directory of food distributions and community meals across the Nashville area. wttin.org/food
East Nashville Care Market: Provides groceries and clothes to Davidson County residents. Proof of residency is required. encm.org
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee: Second Harvest partners with more than 25 food banks and community centers, including Dream Streets, Salvation Army Nashville South, McGruder Family Resource Center, the Martha O'Bryan Center, Inspiritus, East Nashville Care Market and St. Luke's Community House. What they offer: Emergency food boxes and groceries. Call ahead to confirm hours. 615-329-3491, secondharvestmidtn.org/get-help
The Nashville Food Project: Prepares and delivers meals to local nonprofits. Offers volunteer and donation opportunities. thenashvillefoodproject.org
Nashville Community Fridge: A free, public fridge and pantry accepting donations of labeled, dated, homemade meals. Open to anyone in need. Behind Watershed Collective, 412 Gallatin Pike, Madison. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
The Store: A year-round, free grocery store where families can shop for basic needs. Proof of income, ID and household information. Walk-ins welcome; referrals accepted from agencies such as YWCA, Safe Haven, Conexion Americas and others. Thursday 1-5 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 2009 12th Ave. S., Nashville, thestore.org, 615-460-8331
Adventist Community Services: Provides food and clothing. Photo ID or proof of residency required, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 615-860-6001.
Community Resource Center: Provides a locator for hygiene and personal care resources at local churches and cooperatives. crcmidtn.org/partners/hygiene-locator
Catholic Charities South Nashville Family Resource Center: Provides food, hygiene items, diapers, rent and utility assistance. Serves ZIP codes 37010, 37013, 37203, 37210, 37211 and 37217. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (by appointment only), 615-834-1944.
Dream Streets: Provides perishable food from Sprouts, Whole Foods, Aldi and Trader Joe's to neighborhoods in West and North Nashville. dreamstreetstn.com/mobilefood, 615-942-5559
Schedule:
* Mondays, 4 p.m. Richland Hills Apts., 5800 Maudina Ave.
* Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Preston Taylor Neighborhood (40th & Albion); 2:30 p.m. Boys & Girls Club, 916 16th Ave. N.
* Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. Cheatham Place, 1536 Delta Ave., Building 59
* Thursdays, 2 p.m. Dream Streets North, 2032 25th Ave. N.
* Fridays 9 a.m. Dream Streets, 520 39th Ave. N.
* Saturdays 11:30 a.m. Cumberland View Apts., 2437 25th Ave. N., 2:30 p.m. New Covenant Christian Church, 2201 Osage St.
The Bridge Ministry: Distributes hot meals, groceries, clothing and emergency supplies across multiple weekly sites. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Edgehill/Gernert Towers, 1101 Edgehill Ave., bridgeministry.org, 615-855-2611