Top Food Banks in Tennessee – Locations and Services

Tennessee is home to numerous food banks and pantries dedicated to combating hunger and providing essential support to those in need. Below are some key organizations, their locations, service areas, contact information, and websites:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee serves a wide region, providing essential food resources to those in need. Their programs include Emergency Food Boxes for urgent needs, SNAP Outreach to help with food assistance applications, and Mobile Pantries to distribute food in underserved areas​.

Location: 331 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37228
Service Counties: Benton, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Fentress, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, Wilson
Contact Number: (615) 329-3491
Website: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee

Since 1986, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee has been dedicated to ending hunger in the region. They distribute food through various programs and engage the community in hunger-relief efforts through partnerships and educational initiatives​.

Location: 1020 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, TN 37663
Service Counties: Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington
Contact Number: (423) 279-0430
Website: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee

Mid-South Food Bank

Mid-South Food Bank serves a large area including parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. They provide food through a network of partner agencies and direct distributions to ensure that communities have access to nutritious food.

Location: 3865 S Perkins Rd, Memphis, TN 38118
Service Counties: Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby, Tipton (TN); Benton, Coahoma, DeSoto, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tate, Tunica, Bolivar (MS); Monroe, Phillips (AR)
Contact Number: (901) 527-0841
Website: Mid-South Food Bank

Chattanooga Area Food Bank

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank works to eliminate hunger and promote better nutrition in Tennessee and Georgia. They distribute food to local pantries, shelters, and direct service programs, ensuring that those in need receive the help they require.

Location: 2009 Curtain Pole Road, Chattanooga, TN 37406
Service Counties: Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie (TN); Walker, Catoosa, Dade (GA)
Contact Number: (423) 622-1800
Website: Chattanooga Area Food Bank

Clarksville Food Pantries

Example Pantry: Mission of Hope Assembly

Mission of Hope Assembly provides food assistance to those facing food insecurity in Pleasant View and the surrounding areas. They offer monthly food box giveaways and emergency food supplies, ensuring continuous support for the community

How Tennessee Food Banks Operate

Tennessee food banks function as centralized hubs that collect, store, and distribute food to various local pantries, shelters, and community kitchens. These food banks receive donations from supermarkets, manufacturers, farmers, and individuals. They also organize food drives and partner with national hunger relief organizations like Feeding America to source additional food supplies. Once collected, food is sorted and packaged by volunteers before being distributed to local partner agencies that serve individuals and families in need​​​​​​.

How to Donate to Food Banks in Tennessee

  1. Monetary Donations: Financial contributions are crucial as they allow food banks to purchase fresh produce and other perishable items. Donations can be made online through the food bank’s website.
  2. Food Donations: Non-perishable food items can be donated directly to food banks or during community food drives. Items such as canned goods, pasta, and rice are always in demand.
  3. Volunteer Time: Volunteers are essential for sorting and packing food, distributing food at mobile pantries, and assisting with administrative tasks.
  4. Corporate Partnerships: Businesses can partner with food banks by sponsoring events, conducting employee food drives, or making bulk donations of surplus products.
  5. Fundraising Events: Participate in or organize fundraising events like walk-a-thons, bake sales, or charity dinners to raise money and awareness for local food banks​​​​​​.

Importance of Tennessee Food Banks

Food banks play a vital role in Tennessee by addressing food insecurity and ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food. They support low-income families, seniors, and children who might otherwise go hungry. Food banks also provide a safety net during emergencies, such as natural disasters or economic downturns, by distributing food and essential supplies quickly and efficiently. By alleviating hunger, food banks contribute to better health outcomes, reduce the burden on healthcare systems, and promote community stability and well-being​​​​.