How Middle Tennessee showed resilience during SNAP cuts and Winter Storm Fern
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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, […]
Nashville Country Music Star Fights Hunger
Craig Wiseman didn’t set out to find a cause. It found him. Early in his songwriting career, just as his songs were beginning to find success, Craig was invited to a benefit concert by the owner of his publishing company. It wasn’t framed as a lesson, but it became one. The message was clear: if you’re going to have a platform, […]
Advancing Holiday Hunger Relief in Middle Tennessee: Thank You to Our Full Campaign Sponsors
Holiday hunger relief in Middle Tennessee is more critical than ever this season. While the holidays are often filled with shared meals and time together, many neighbors across our region are facing empty tables and hard choices instead of celebration. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is deeply grateful to the corporate partners who […]
From Experiencing Homelessness to Helping Others: Armistead’s Story at a Holiday Food Distribution Nashville
On December 13th, it was about 25 degrees outside when Nashvillians lined up for the annual Feed the Need distribution. Among them was Armistead. The boxes that day held familiar holiday staples — turkeys, green beans, and boxed stuffing — and dairy, eggs, and shelf-stable pantry items to help families get through the season. Just […]