Pandemic Food Crisis

Donation Drop-Off

If you have non-perishable food items you would like to donate, you can drop them in the Second Harvest Food Bank donation barrels in the front of your local Kroger store, or bring them to our distribution center at 331 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37228.

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41.5 million meals

provided March 2020-Feb 2021 to Middle and West Tennesseans 

Mobile Pantry Volunteer Opportunity Social Image

40% increase

in meals provided year-over-year because of the pandemic

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460 partners

including schools, soup kitchens and churches, helping us meet increased need

For more information, download the report Stronger Together: One Year Into Our Pandemic Response

Stories of Feeding Hope

We're meeting many neighbors like William – people facing hardship caused by COVID-19 who are relying on Second Harvest for the first time. A machinist, William is furloughed until further notice. His wife still works, but their drastic income loss makes it hard to put food on the table.

“We have two daughters and bills to pay like any family. It’s stressful. It’s scary,” he said. “Being down one income, it’s making it tough to afford food and living expenses.”

William is grateful to you for making sure Second Harvest is here when he needs us most. When this is all over, he looks forward to supporting Second Harvest because now he knows firsthand the impact Second Harvest makes in people’s lives.

Stories of Feeding Hope

“I try not to worry too much, but I’m scared.”

Ashley is a single mom of three kids with special needs. As a certified nurse practitioner, Ashley was on the COVID-19 frontlines at a Goodlettsville nursing home. But when schools closed, she had to take a leave of absence to care for her children, who require close supervision and medication.

“I have to be strong for my kids. I have to keep a sense of normalcy for them,” Ashley said. “That means having food in the pantry: That’s why I am here today.”

Stories of Feeding Hope

Rosemary, like many affected by recent events, is a first-time food bank client. She never thought she'd ever need help like this. But she lost her food during the tornadoes, and then the esthetician's clients canceled because of the pandemic. That's how the single mother wound up at a Second Harvest food distribution at Dodson Chapel in Hermitage. 

"I didn't think it was for me. I have a roof over my head, electricity, a car that runs, and my family and friends are safe. But my friend told me, 'this is for you.' And for the first time I realized, 'yes, yes, this is for me."

Stories of Feeding Hope

"With everything that is going on, it's great to know you have places you can count on when times get rough. I can't thank you enough."

First-time food pantry clients, Kiarra and her daughters Na'riah and Ja'miah, received Second Harvest food boxes during a distribution at McGruder Family Resource Center in North Nashville.

Stories of Feeding Hope

Terry and Tina’s apartment complex was hit hard by the storm. Their roof came off and at least half the cars in the complex were seriously damaged by trees and debris, including theirs. They lost power, water, and all the food in their refrigerator.

When their building was formally condemned, they had just 48 hours to move out. Luckily their neighbor’s car survived, and they worked together to find a new apartment and move their belongings. Their neighbor also brought them to the food pantry at Donelson Middle School. After filling a box with food and supplies, a volunteer asked what else they needed. Tina said, “I don’t want to take too much.”

Their spirits are high despite the difficult week. Terry says, “I’m so impressed by how our neighbors came together to help each other. People were sharing UHaul trucks, loading and unloading together. And this food is a huge help.”

Stories of Feeding Hope

When we met Aaron, Kamilah, and their three children, it was late afternoon and they hadn’t eaten all day. Their apartment is uninhabitable after the tornadoes swept through Nashville. And the roof blew off Aaron's place of work – it’ll be weeks before he’s getting regular paychecks again.

Without any family in the area, they took their kids to Hull Jackson Montessori School for help. There, Second Harvest was handing out hot meals and packages of shelf-stable food. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors who were handing out everything they could spare, from cleaning supplies to homemade BBQ.  

“The food distribution today was a blessing,” Aaron said. “This shows that people care and there are good people in a crisis. We have to stick together during a crisis.”

Stories of Feeding Hope

Five of Arthur’s grandchildren live with him, so when the tornado tore up his roof and damaged his belongings, he knew he’d need help. His daughter, Xenia, took him to Hull Jackson Montessori School, where Second Harvest was handing out hot meals and packages of shelf-stable food.

Arthur is retired and on a fixed income. He said with Second Harvest providing food, he’ll be able to put his money toward other bills.

“It means the world to me to have this,” Arthur said. “I don’t know what we would do if we didn’t have y’all.”

Thank you!

We are infinitely grateful to everyone who is showing up during this crisis by donating food, money, and time. You are keeping Tennesseans alive and giving them hope!

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