Hunger doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
We know food insecurity results in empty pantries and skipped meals. What causes food insecurity, though, can be harder to pinpoint.
It can start with a job loss, an unexpected bill, or a legal issue. When these challenges spiral, people lose the resources they need.
That is why Second Harvest has a network of over 60 Strategic Partners. Our Strategic Partners provide essential resources beyond food. These resources include healthcare, financial counseling, and legal aid in Middle Tennessee.
The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands are among our most important partners.
Legal issues are a significant barrier for many of our neighbors. Being wrongfully evicted, losing wages, or getting denied SNAP benefits can make it hard to get food. These challenges often cause or worsen food insecurity.
That’s where the Legal Aid Society makes a difference.
The Legal Aid Society provides civil legal aid in Middle Tennessee. Their attorneys and staff help neighbors stabilize their lives. They make it possible to keep a roof overhead, access benefits, and secure income.
The Legal Aid Society helps prevent the kind of crises that often lead people to food banks.
We often connect our neighbors with Legal Aid Society staff at Second Harvest distributions and Partner Agency sites. These legal professionals provide support that goes beyond food for our neighbors.
This partnership is a powerful example of wraparound support. When nonprofits work together, we can better meet urgent and long-term needs.
When families get the support they need—like food and legal aid—they can begin to thrive.