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Author: Pearce Barringer

Women in Hunger Relief

A woman with glasses and curly hair smiles in front of a purple background with International Womens Day in pink and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee logo.

Hunger relief takes more than food. It takes people. People who plan, coordinate, and solve problems every day to make sure meals reach families who need them. This International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the women in hunger relief whose work often happens behind the scenes but is essential to serving neighbors across Middle Tennessee. […]

It’s Nutrition Month in Middle Tennessee

Nutrition Month in Middle Tennessee is a time to focus on a simple, yet powerful truth: the food on our plates is the foundation of our health. At Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, we see every day how access to nutritious food can change lives. Hunger is not just about empty stomachs. It […]

Black History in Nashville

A brick church with a tall white steeple and large arched windows sits beside a smaller building with columns. Several cars are parked along the street in front. The sky is cloudy.

When we talk about Black History in Nashville, we cannot tell the story without telling the story of the Black church.  For generations, the Black church has been more than a place of worship. It has been a school, a gathering hall, a meeting space, a food pantry, and a sanctuary for dignity and survival. In Nashville and […]

How Middle Tennessee showed resilience during SNAP cuts and Winter Storm Fern

A man smiles while holding vegetables in front of a Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee truck. Two women walk by in the foreground. Large food images decorate the truck.

Vernon Shaw serves as Manager, Donor Relationships at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. A proud Tennessee State University alumnus, Vernon earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and performed as a member of the two-time Grammy Award–winning Aristocrat of Bands, where he played tuba. Since joining Second Harvest in 2022, Vernon has worked […]

Black History Month Hunger Relief

An older man wearing a tan jacket and a white cap sits in the passenger seat of a car, looking out the window with a thoughtful expression.

Black History Month hunger relief is about honoring lived history, resilience, and the ongoing work of caring for one another. Armistead’s life reflects this. On a Saturday morning, with temperatures hovering around 25 degrees, Nashvillians lined up for a Second Harvest Mobile Pantry. Among them was Armistead — whose life reflects the long arc of […]

Winter Storm Threat Hits Nashville

A snow-covered city street lined with trees leads toward tall buildings in the distance. Snow blankets the road, trees, and rooftops, creating a serene winter scene as a Winter Storm Threat hits Nashville under a cloudy sky.

As winter storm threat hits Nashville, many families across our region are preparing for more than snow and ice. They’re preparing for impossible choices. When extreme cold settles in, it often forces families to confront the painful reality of choosing between heat and food. At Second Harvest, we call this “heat or eat.” With temperatures […]

MLK Day of Service Volunteering at Second Harvest

A man in a suit waves to a large crowd gathered outdoors. He stands on a platform, and the crowd stretches far into the distance, with trees lining the area.

At Second Harvest, we make MLK Day of Service more than a day off. It’s a day on. Each year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by bringing our community together to serve neighbors facing hunger. Dr. King believed that service was a powerful force for change. […]

What is Food Insecurity?

Black bold text on a white background reads, What is Food Insecurity?, prompting viewers to consider the meaning and impact of food insecurity.

What is food insecurity? Food insecurity is the condition of not having reliable access to affordable, nutritious food to live an active and healthy life. When you hear that someone is struggling with food insecurity, you may just picture them skipping meals. You may immediately think of people struggling with homelessness. Food insecurity is so […]

Post-Holiday Debt and Food Insecurity Collide

A past due credit card statement and a card lie next to an empty wallet, coins, and groceries, illustrating the theme of post-holiday debt and food insecurity. Bold text highlights “Food Insecurity.”.

Post-holiday debt and food insecurity collide for millions of families each January. When the joy of the season gives way to mounting bills and tighter household budgets, credit card statements arrive. Buy Now, Pay Later payments kick in. For families already stretched thin, those financial pressures can quickly affect their ability to put food on […]

Seasonal Jobs Ending in January Leave Families Facing Tough Choices

A yellow diamond-shaped road sign with the words SEASONAL WORK stands against a clear blue sky.

Seasonal jobs ending in January mark a sharp financial turning point for many families who rely on extra holiday income to make ends meet. As the calendar flips, temporary retail positions disappear, extended hours are cut back, and paychecks suddenly shrink. Just as bills from December come due. For households already living paycheck to paycheck, […]