Need food due to the government shutdown? Find resources near you
Need food due to the government shutdown? Find resources near you
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s mission is to nourish and empower people so they can thrive.
As I reflect on this past year, I am struck by our resilience. The obstacles we faced were immense, but they revealed something powerful: when tested, our community comes together. That resilience, fueled by your generosity and support, carried us through a year unlike any other.
We saw the largest spike in need in our history. In just one month, the number of neighbors turning to us for help grew by 43%. That sudden surge highlighted a harsh reality: 450,000 of our Middle and West Tennessee neighbors face food insecurity. That is 100,000 more individuals than before the Covid-19 Pandemic, only six years ago. This stark reminder drives our commitment to meet the growing need.
Despite challenges in government funding, we’ve remained steadfast in our mission. We are deeply grateful for the support of our partners, donors, and volunteers who have helped us overcome these obstacles and continue to provide essential services to those who need them most.
Even in the face of these ongoing challenges, we have not backed down. We now distribute 10 million more meals annually than in 2019, before the pandemic. Our focus is not just on providing meals, but on ensuring those meals are as nourishing and balanced as possible. We are proud to report that we provided 16.4 million pounds of fresh produce last year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent lives touched, families supported, and the incredible impact we made together.
Our commitment to meeting this growing need is stronger than ever. We proudly announce a new milestone in our journey: the purchase of land for our future home. This is a significant step forward, as it will help us scale our operations and better serve our community for years to come. Thanks to your committed partnership, we can build the infrastructure necessary to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and meet the needs of our community with dignity and possibility.
We are standing on the precipice of change. The road ahead is long, and the need remains great. But with you by our side, we can envision a future where hunger no longer stands in the way of opportunity and every neighbor is food secure. With your ongoing partnership, we will continue working to ensure everyone has the resources they need to thrive.
Thank you for your commitment. We are building a stronger, healthier community, one meal at a time. Let’s grow for good.
We offer a wide variety of foods that reflect our neighbors’ nutritional, cultural, and personal needs—ensuring equitable access to nourishing meals for everyone, no matter their circumstances.
Our warehouses are strategically located to meet the needs of our neighbors where they are. Our operations have been refined to be as efficient, safe, and as sustainable as possible. This enabled us to distribute more than 50 million pounds of food to our neighbors facing hunger last year.
Our mission is powered by thousands of dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to fight hunger. From sorting and packing food in our warehouses to helping at mobile food distributions and community events, volunteers ensure that meals reach our neighbors quickly and with care. Their commitment makes it possible for us to extend our reach and multiply our impact across Middle and West Tennessee.
We distribute food through a network of strategically selected partners. This approach ensures we serve our neighbors with efficiency and compassion.
Second Harvest operates 19 programs that stretch across our entire service area, reaching neighbors in every county. Each program is designed to meet unique needs, from children to older adults, and from individuals facing chronic illness to families recovering after disasters.
Our programs address hunger in many forms: providing meals and groceries, offering nutrition education, sourcing farm fresh food, and creating workforce opportunities. Together, they ensure people of all ages and circumstances can access the food and resources they need in the most effective and dignified way possible.
Second Harvest depends on strong partnerships to fight hunger across Middle and West Tennessee.
Together, these trusted partners make it possible for us to nourish our neighbors and reduce food insecurity across the region. We are grateful for their commitment and collaboration.
Second Harvest supports eight At-Risk Afterschool meal programs, serving over 40,000 meals to participating children each year. Meals are offered throughout the 10-month school term, with costs reimbursed through the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
The BackPack program provides ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare food for children facing hunger when school provided meals are unavailable on weekends and during school breaks. More than 6,700 children at 82 schools received BackPacks each week.
CSFP works to improve the health of low-income adults at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods. The Tennessee Department of Health contracts CSFP, a federally funded program, to provide a monthly food box to nearly 2,000 low-income older adults.
Disaster Response extends beyond Middle and West Tennessee. As a regular collaborator with Feeding America and its national network of food banks, Second Harvest provides shelf-stable foods and emergency food boxes to individuals affected by natural disasters across the country, beyond Middle and West Tennessee. For example, Second Harvest supplied 70 truckloads of support to neighbors impacted by Hurricane Ian. Equipped with the right products, volunteers, and facilities, we deliver ready-to-eat meals and non-perishable foods to those in need of disaster relief, ensuring essential nourishment during challenging times.
The Farm to Families program engages farmers and Partners to supply locally grown, nutritious produce to those in need, ensuring less food goes to waste. The Farm to Food Bank grant, provided by the Tennessee Department of of Agriculture, has made it possible for Second Harvest to provide fresh produce, protein, dairy, eggs, and honey to our neighbors and allowed us to showcase regional producers and strengthen our local economy. Last year, Second Harvest supported 42 counties, more than 160 Partners Agencies, and purchased 595,600 pounds of food from 47 local producers. We thank our farmers for contributing more than 496,000 meals to our neighbors in need.
Food Is Medicine (FIM) integrates nutritious food and nutrition education into healthcare delivery to help prevent and manage chronic diseases. For food to truly act as medicine, people need reliable, consistent access. That is why Second Harvest operates Healthcare Pantries, Beyond Healthcare Pantries, and a 6-Month Intervention program. These initiatives offer immediate relief and long-term support, helping neighbors improve health outcomes and build lasting wellness. Thank you to Ascension, HCA, Lifepoint, and Neighborhood Health for making Food Is Medicine possible.
“I love my kids being able to have juice after school. We normally only have water, so juice is a treat around here. The BackPacks help fill in the gap when we are low on food, which happens a lot. We couldn’t be more appreciative of the BackPacks. Two of my kids get them every Friday.”
Through our Food Rescue program, Second Harvest works with 720 partners, including local farmers, manufacturers, and generous individual donors to rescue 30.1 million pounds of fresh food, keeping it out of landfills and on the plates of our neighbors. That includes 15.2 million pounds saved from more than 500 grocery stores.
Our Innovative Meal Solutions include dietitian-designed and chef-inspired frozen tray-pack meals, bulk pre-cooked proteins, and a shelf-stable tomato sauce. These products are developed to meet specific dietary health needs—such as low sodium, diabetic support, and balanced portions—ensuring our neighbors receive meals that are both nutritious and tailored to their well-being.
Kids Cafe provides free meals, snacks, and nutrition education to children facing hunger through a variety of community programs during the school year and in the summer months. Second Harvest provided 15,000 meals at 6 locations last year.
The Mobile Market brings essential grocery items, like produce, dairy, pantry staples, meat, and eggs, directly to communities most impacted by food insecurity. Last year, the Mobile Market served more than 67,000 people and distributed over 786,000 pounds of food. By eliminating transportation barriers, the Mobile Market supports those living in food deserts or who are unable to travel to the nearest grocery store. Additionally, Strategic Partners like the Nashville Diaper Connection and Family & Children Services are available at Mobile Market locations, providing further support to families in need.
Second Harvest coordinates large-scale, one-day distributions at Partner Agencies to provide food directly to children, families, and older adults in need. A typical Mobile Pantry provides a family with several days of groceries. More than 146,500 individuals received assistance through this program.
Second Harvest’s Neighbor Care Pantry program provides food assistance to individuals and families across six Davidson County sites: Christian Cooperative Ministry, East Nashville Cooperative Ministries, Inspiritus, Martha O’Bryan Center, Salvation Army Magness Potter, and St. Luke’s Community House. Last year, the program provided more than 1.9 million meals, offering up to three days’ worth of staple food items tailored to the size of each household.
The Older Adult Nutrition program supports low-income older adults by providing food resources that are nutritious, easy-to-prepare, and shelf-stable. Our team delivers food weekly or monthly directly to their homes, with selections tailored to each person’s unique needs.
Razhi – Kids CafeRazhi loves football, basketball, and anything else where he can be active and outside. He has dreams of becoming a wide receiver when he grows up. Razhi knows that good nutrition helps him stay sharp on the field. “I can’t be hungry,” he explains. “Or else I’ll be tired.” Thanks to Second Harvest’s Kids Cafe Program, Razhi gets the fuel he needs to play, learn, and even, he says, clean his room. He especially loves the days when they serve cheese crackers and juice at the Kids Cafe. “Food helps me after a long day at school,” he says. “It gives me energy to go home, play with my friends, and stay up.”
Second Harvest distributes food and essential products through a network of more than 600 agencies across Middle and West Tennessee. These partners include after school programs, soup kitchens, senior centers, and other organizations. Each Partner is strategically selected so that every county in our service area is covered, ensuring our neighbors receive food and resources effectively, and with the whole person in mind.
Project Preserve is Second Harvest’s social enterprise that provides low-cost quality food items for other nonprofits fighting food insecurity, including Feeding America food banks and Second Harvest’s Partners. Our products include disaster boxes, holiday boxes, health needs specific boxes, BackPacks, staple pantry items, direct from manufacturer orders, and customizable orders.
The School Food Pantry Program increases food access for school children and their families. Each school-based pantry has a permanent location where food arrives and is distributed monthly, and through these 56 sites, Second Harvest delivered over 309,000 meals.
Second Harvest supported 18 SFSP sites throughout Middle and West Tennessee last summer. Through this program, we provided more than 53,000 breakfasts and lunches over the summer of 2025 to help ensure that children facing food insecurity continued to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.
Second Harvest provides SNAP outreach and application assistance at our main distribution center, Neighbor Care Pantry sites, Mobile Pantry distributions, and Partner Agency locations. We share information about the benefits and provide prescreening for people who may qualify. Through neighbor assistance, we completed more than 2,500 SNAP applications, which resulted in 1.2 million meals for our neighbors.
Second Harvest hosts a comprehensive 8-week Workforce Development training program for individuals interested in pursuing careers in food manufacturing. Participants receive hands-on training in food handling, safety, quality control, and recipe development, as well as career-readiness skills such as resume writing and interview preparation. The program also provides transportation and childcare support, making it accessible to neighbors with those needs. This initiative, funded by United Way of Greater Nashville, welcomes individuals with no prior experience and equips them with the skills and confidence to succeed in the industry.
Phaedra – PartnersFor Phaedra, the impact of Second Harvest has been personal. As a volunteer at Hope Hohenwald, a Second Harvest Partner Agency, she saw firsthand how food could open doors for children—including her son. With the support he found there, he learned how to study, graduated high school with excellent grades, served in the Navy, and is now excelling in college. “He couldn’t have done that without Hope Hohenwald,” Phaedra says. She thinks food is the heart of the program – “After a while, I realized that a good number of children here came for that meal. That meal is important. We do a lot, but we couldn’t do it without Second Harvest’s support.”
Hannah has always been a helper. She grew up volunteering at food banks with her family and worked at a treatment center for women in recovery. Recently, an accident turned her world upside down. A fall left her with a broken spine and a sustained brain injury. Facing $40,000 in medical debt, with no insurance, and no way to work, her parents recommended she turn to a Second Harvest Mobile Pantry. She found the help she needed. “Growing up, I wouldn’t have thought I’d ever need this help,” Hannah shared. “But knowing I can get groceries here takes a load off, especially with how expensive everything is now. It’s really a blessing.”
Hunter volunteers at a Second Harvest food distribution center through his local Future Farmers of America. He is a junior in high school. He likes volunteering because “we’ve been through it all. We know what it is like.” Hunter is the oldest brother to his seven young siblings at home. “It costs a lot to take care of our family. Food and stuff—it’s expensive. It’s hard to give everyone what they want.” After volunteering, Hunter takes home some food and household supplies for his family. Items like diapers, baby food, and cereal make a big difference, especially with so many little ones at home.
Luis struggled to make ends meet and knew he needed to pool his resources to get by. Thankfully, he was able to move in with his cousin David and his family. Luis shares that construction work pays well but has been irregular lately. Unpredictable pay can make it hard to keep the pantry stocked. With two young sons in the house, that isn’t an acceptable reality. Second Harvest helps during tough stretches. “This helps our family,” Luis said. Their family is grateful for Second Harvest’s support to fill the gap when work slows down.
Despite living with a hereditary eye disease, Patricia does her best to stay independent. “I do my own housework and washing,” she says proudly. Though she can’t see well enough to use the stove, she still cooks with a microwave. The joy of cooking a meal for herself, no matter how simple, reminds her that she’s still capable and in control of her day-to-day life. As a cancer survivor living with diabetes, Patricia now focuses on her health and eating a clean diet. Despite her challenges, Patricia remains optimistic. “This food is helpful,” she says. “You try to get help wherever you can.”
Growing Solutions to HungerTo provide guidance for Project Grow, our initiative that grows fresh produce for hunger relief, and strengthen our presence within Middle and West Tennessee’s farming communities, Second Harvest launched the Agriculture Advisory Committee. This committee fosters connections with producers, volunteers, educational institutions, and other key partners in the agriculture industry. By building relationships across the region, the committee helps increase access to fresh, local food while strengthening engagement with Tennessee farmers and rural communities.
More neighbors than ever are turning to Second Harvest, and our mission demands that we be ready. Second Harvest has acquired a 23.6-acre property on Donelson Pike that will be the site of our new community-centered campus. We plan to break ground on the new facility next summer, marking the first step toward bringing this vision to life. Our home in Metrocenter has served us well for over 20 years, but it has reached maximum capacity. Food is the heart of our work, and this new space will allow us to strengthen that commitment while offering additional support that helps neighbors thrive. We look forward to welcoming you to our new campus, where we will develop and sustain systems that nourish the whole person and strengthen communities.
ERNEST and Zach Top Light Up the RymanERNEST lit up the historic Ryman Auditorium for his second year hosting Stars for Second Harvest, bringing heart and harmony to the stage. This unforgettable night of music raised 1.5 million meals for our neighbors facing hunger. Rising star Zach Top added a honky-tonk flair, making the evening one to remember. We’re grateful to partner with artists who use their voices to unite community through music.
We are proud to partner with the Nashville Soccer Club (NSC) and their dedicated fans. Every year at NSC Food Drives, their fans show their commitment to fighting food insecurity – donating more than 1,600 pounds of food over the years. Last year, Soccer Moses led his fellow NSC Fans to donate more than 250 pounds of food in just one day. Soccer Moses says, “I am full of joy to see Nashville Soccer Club lock arms with Second Harvest in the effort to support and supply families with resources for nutrition and good health. These are Nashville difference-makers!” We know we can count on the NSC, alongside Soccer Moses and even Tempo himself, to come together in full support of our cause.
Mobile Market Fights Summer Hunger During the summer, students lose access to free and reduced-price meals offered at schools. As a result, families need to provide an additional 10 meals per child per week. That’s why we tailored our Mobile Market specifically toward fighting childhood hunger this summer. We brought kid-focused Strategic Partners, like the Little Art House Foundation, and healthy summer meals and snacks for kids. Emma Bradford, Co-Founder of Little Art House Foundation, said, “This was such a wonderful opportunity to make art more accessible throughout the community. We hope families enjoy the project and use the tools throughout the summer to keep the creativity going!”
To effectively fight hunger, we must have a network of capable Partners. That’s why we seek out opportunities that help our Partners grow, such as the Feeding America Retail Agency Capacity Building Grant, provided in part by Walmart. This grant provided our Partners the resources they need to expand their impact – empowering them to pick up more food in rural counties, purchase cold and dry storage to hold the extra food, offer their staffs a living wage, and invest in technology to optimize their operations. One of our Partners receiving grant funding stated, “As the only organization in our county with a refrigerated vehicle, we’ve been able to extend our services to other agencies lacking such resources. This has allowed for a more equitable distribution of fresh, perishable foods across our community. The increased capacity from the grant has enabled us to reach more neighbors in need, particularly those who may have limited access to fresh produce and high-quality protein sources.” Thanks to this grant, our Partners and Second Harvest were able to rescue 13.2 million pounds of food last fiscal year.
University School OF Nashville Volunteers Make a Big Impact There is nothing we love more than neighbors helping neighbors. That’s why one of our favorite days last year was when first graders from the University School of Nashville volunteered to pack BackPacks. By providing meals their classmates might otherwise miss over the weekend, these students played an important role in addressing hunger among their peers. The USN first graders packed 812 bags, providing more than 3,200 meals to students facing hunger.
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Feeding America CEO, joined Second Harvest for a community food distribution, helping serve more than 300 of our neighbors. Together with volunteers like you, she helped distribute 2,824 pounds of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and pantry staples. Claire was especially moved by the dignity offered through our client choice model, where neighbors select the foods that best fit their families’ needs. She shared smiles and friendly conversation, even exchanging her favorite cabbage recipes with those who took some home. Claire praised the compassionate, respectful approach of our Mobile Markets, saying it truly reflects Second Harvest’s mission to nourish and empower people so they can thrive.
| COUNTY | Partner Agencies | Food-Insecure Individuals | Food-Insecure Children | TOTAL MEALS PROVIDED | TOTALS | 410 | 445,380 | 118,540 | 43,577,668 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 BEDFORD | 11 | 8,050 | 2,490 | 1,351,101 |
 BENTON | 7 | 2,970 | 650 | 754,306 |
 CANNON | 1 | 2,330 | 530 | 154,222 |
 CARROLL | 3 | 4,650 | 1,290 | 267,019 |
 CHEATHAM | 5 | 5,240 | 1,210 | 357,395 |
 CHESTER | 3 | 2,540 | 680 | 157,815 |
 CLAY | 2 | 1,550 | 320 | 95,634 |
 COFFEE | 17 | 10,150 | 2,850 | 1,166,349 |
 DAVIDSON | 108 | 104,990 | 29,330 | 10,508,920 |
 DECATUR | 4 | 2,180 | 530 | 264,748 |
 DEKALB | 4 | 4,110 | 1,080 | 295,719 |
 DICKSON | 7 | 7,750 | 1,900 | 620,487 |
 FRANKLIN | 6 | 6,860 | 1,630 | 517,217 |
 GIBSON | 7 | 7,770 | 2,400 | 660,864 |
 GILES | 5 | 4,730 | 1,220 | 520,362 |
 HARDIN | 5 | 5,020 | 1,180 | 654,759 |
 HENDERSON | 8 | 4,820 | 1,340 | 393,135 |
 HENRY | 8 | 5,950 | 1,650 | 419,429 |
 HICKMAN | 3 | 4,100 | 1,020 | 703,240 |
 HOUSTON | 3 | 1,380 | 280 | 264,414 |
 HUMPHREYS | 7 | 3,020 | 820 | 586,630 |
 JACKSON | 1 | 2,320 | 450 | 272,082 |
 LAWRENCE | 6 | 7,440 | 2,070 | 701,087 |
 LEWIS | 3 | 2,170 | 450 | 1,324,717 |
 LINCOLN | 6 | 5,400 | 1,400 | 468,691 |
 MACON | 4 | 4,210 | 1,140 | 570,010 |
 MARSHALL | 3 | 5,090 | 1,400 | 340,043 |
 MAURY | 19 | 13,730 | 3,760 | 2,067,162 |
 MONTGOMERY | 22 | 33,370 | 11,480 | 1,849,151 |
 MOORE | 1 | 900 | 170 | 58,966 |
 OVERTON | 2 | 4,010 | 980 | 1,092,116 |
 PERRY | 1 | 1,600 | 510 | 302,924 |
 PICKETT | 1 | 1,110 | 250 | 76,688 |
 PUTNAM | 19 | 13,370 | 3,160 | 1,048,404 |
 ROBERTSON | 6 | 9,710 | 2,470 | 717,313 |
 RUTHERFORD | 18 | 44,140 | 12,630 | 3,153,197 |
 SMITH | 2 | 3,180 | 840 | 292,178 |
 STEWART | 5 | 2180 | 560 | 242,490 |
 SUMNER | 18 | 25,310 | 6,710 | 1,698,065 |
 TROUSDALE | 3 | 1,550 | 340 | 203,889 |
 WARREN | 4 | 7,290 | 1,930 | 440,517 |
 WAYNE | 3 | 2,930 | 530 | 225,472 |
 WEAKLEY | 7 | 5,930 | 1,440 | 366,164 |
 WHITE | 6 | 4,520 | 1,050 | 708,076 |
 WILLIAMSON | 8 | 24,470 | 3,600 | 2,990,590 |
 WILSON | 17 | 18,220 | 4,250 | 1,167,185 |
Food insecurity data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2023 study, the most recent year the data was collected.
| PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUE | Without Donor Restrictions | With Donor Restrictions | Totals | TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUE | $106,099,134 | ($906,998) | $105,192,136 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donated Food | $57,094,215 | $ - | $57,094,215 |
| Contributions of cash and financial assets | $15,026,897 | $2,967,433 | $17,994,330 |
| Contributions of non-financial asset | $3,285,564 | - | $3,285,564 |
| Government grants - cash | $6,614,962 | - | $6,614,962 |
| Government grants - commodities | $15,698,398 | - | $15,698,398 |
| Special events and activities | $812,156 | - | $812,156 |
| Less: direct benefits to donors | ($276,958) | - | ($276,958) |
| Investment income (loss), net | $3,496,058 | - | $3,496,058 |
| Agency transportation reimbursement and other income | $473,411 | - | $473,411 |
| Net assets released in satisfaction of program restrictions | $3,874,431 | ($3,874,431) | - |
| REVENUE - PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAM | Without Donor Restrictions | With Donor Restrictions | TOTALS | TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE | $110,407,818 | ($906,998) | $109,500,820 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales to out of area network agencies, net of discount | $49,317,666 | $ - | $49,317,666 |
| Sales to local agencies | $4,118,229 | - | $4,118,229 |
| TOTAL REVENUE - PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAM | $53,435,895 | - | $53,435,895 |
| LESS DIRECT COSTS AND EXPENSES - PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAM | ($49,127,211) | - | ($49,127,211) |
| GROSS PROFIT FROM PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAM | $4,308,684 | - | $4,308,684 |
| EXPENSES | Without Donor Restrictions | With Donor Restrictions | Totals | NET ASSETS - END OF YEAR | $75,931,500 | $1,879,831 | $77,811,331 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program services: | |||
| Neighbor Care Pantries | $3,995,763 | $ - | $3,995,763 |
| Community Food Partners | $75,143,183 | - | $75,143,183 |
| Children’s Feeding Programs | $2,554,804 | - | $2,554,804 |
| Mobile Food Programs | $12,298,329 | - | $12,298,329 |
| Total Program Services | $93,992,079 | - | $93,992,079 |
| Supporting services: | |||
| Management and general | $1,630,265 | - | $1,630,265 |
| Fundraising | $4,753,272 | - | $4,753,272 |
| Total Supporting Services | $6,383,537 | - | $6,383,537 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | $100,375,616 | - | $100,375,616 |
| CHANGE IN NET ASSETS | $10,032,202 | ($906,998) | $9,125,204 |
| NET ASSETS - BEGINNING OF YEAR | $65,899,298 | $2,786,829 | $68,686,127 |
Jennifer Peters
Board ChairDrew Berg
Board Vice ChairSonya Hostetler
Board SecretaryBruce Esworthy
Board TreasurerNancy Keil
President & CEO