Metro Social Services (MSS) is experiencing an uptick in requests for support from individuals and families struggling to navigate the higher cost of living, resulting from inflation and COVID-19 recovery. One of the primary requests for support is access to food.
Seeing this dire need, MSS leadership planned the department’s first Food Pop Up food box giveaway that was held Nov. 2 in the parking lot of the office at 3055 Lebanon Pike (Hermitage) next to TruFit. The boxes were be given away on a first come first serve basis.
“We’ve noted a gradual increase in people coming to us for help in the last year, but we traditionally see numbers spike in the cold weather season. We are forecasting much higher numbers this year compared to last,” said Executive Director Renee Pratt. “But this is exactly what we are here for—creating solutions for families struggling so they don’t have to go through this crisis alone. No child, or individual should go without eating.”
Annually, MSS releases two signature reports that identify trends and patterns diagnosing the social and economic well-being of Nashville residents. The most recent Community Needs Evaluation found that:
- • One-in-10 Nashvillians is food insecure
- • Half of Nashville workers earn below a living wage
- • Economic hardship is widespread for Nashvillians
“The need is so great. The struggle is so unbearable for so many families, that we decided that this will not be our only food box giveaway. We just can’t let our families go hungry,” said Demetria Vaughn, programs directorThe food boxes were filled with several non-perishable items (beans, rice, pasta, etc). Guests were able to simply pull into the car line and receive their box. Walk-ups were accepted as well.
