Twenty-one percent of food bank clients across Tennessee are seniors experiencing food insecurity. This means that more than 47,000 seniors in Tennessee are missing necessary nutrients critical to the unique conditions of aging. Many seniors must choose between paying for groceries or paying for prescriptions. Senior Hunger in Tennessee is a real and growing problem. The United Health Foundation reports that Tennessee is among the 10 states with the highest rates of senior food insecurity.

In response to this need, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee committed to work through nonprofit agencies in various Tennessee counties to provide “Senior Nutrition Boxes” plus frozen meals to 445 low-income seniors. This provision is intended to supplement other resources a senior may have. To help sustain these efforts, Second Harvest was awarded the Serving Tennessee’s Seniors grant of $82,263 administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at the request of the Chancery Court. This grant pays for the purchase of dry and frozen grocery items.

Currently, 535 seniors (age 60+) receive one food box per month plus two frozen meals per week with this funding. These seniors are in the following counties: Davidson, Montgomery, Perry, Pickett, Rutherford, Stewart and Warren.