NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — As the federal government shutdown enters another week, Middle Tennessee families are already feeling the impact — and community food shelves are rapidly drying up.
The East Nashville CARE Market tells FOX 17 News it is experiencing its lowest food supply since opening, with volunteers calling this weekend the busiest they have ever seen.
“We have never seen our shelves this empty,” staff told FOX 17. “Saturday was unlike anything we’ve experienced.”
Huge surge on first day of reduced SNAP benefits
On Saturday — the first day families saw a reduction in SNAP benefits — the CARE Market recorded:
- 59 households served
- 134 individuals fed
- More than half also receiving free winter clothing
That one day accounted for about 10% of the pantry’s typical monthly volume…