Why we celebrate Pride Month at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee comes down to one thing: we believe everyone deserves access to nourishing food.
Hunger doesn’t discriminate, but, too often, access to food does.
LGBTQ+ individuals face higher rates of poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity. Discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare can exacerbate the challenges of meeting basic needs.
That’s why Second Harvest is committed to building a community where everyone is welcome.
Susan is one of those neighbors. She had just become the legal guardian of her 7-year-old granddaughter, Lily. Their home now includes Susan, her wife, their son Tyler, and Lily.
We met her on Lily’s birthday.
Susan hoped to spend the day celebrating her only grandchild. Instead, she found herself at a food distribution. She was there to make sure her granddaughter had enough to eat.
Susan lives with rheumatoid arthritis and can no longer stand for long periods. She’s unable to work. Her son Tyler lives with schizophrenia. He can’t work long hours, but doesn’t qualify for disability.
With the new added member to the household, Susan and her wife needed help.
That is why we celebrate Pride Month. Susan’s family faces so many challenges stacked against them. The last thing they should worry about is putting food on the table.
That’s why food assistance matters.
Pride Month is a time to celebrate love, identity, and resilience. It’s also a time to recommit ourselves to equity.
We celebrate Pride because every person deserves dignity, and food is a fundamental part of that.