NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — With nearly 700,000 Tennesseans at risk of losing SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown threat, Metro Social Services says they are not waiting for the crisis to hit before stepping in.
The department has been building up emergency food support programs for more than a year, targeting neighborhoods where food insecurity is most severe — beginning in North Nashville.
“Food insecurity didn’t start because of the government shutdown threat,” Metro Social Services Executive Director Renee Pratt said. “But if SNAP benefits lapse, it will pour gas on a fire that’s already burning.”
North Nashville identified as highest-need community
Metro’s Hunger in Nashville report identified North Nashville as having some of the highest rates of food insecurity and limited food access in the county…