The recent economic downturn and panic leading up to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)benefit disruption has sparked a massive influx in October, of people coming to Metro Social Services seeking assistance, primarily for help getting food. As a result, Metro Social Services (MSS) has activated its "Food Crisis Rapid Response Plan".
"This is a crisis that is visiting homes across Davidson County, regardless of income level, education level, and zip code. People are hurting. Families are starving, and we are doing everything within our power to alleviate that strain," said Renée Pratt, executive director of Metro Social Services. “We forecasted this devastation nearly a year ago and thankfully had a plan in place to quickly respond. The SNAP disruption, an unexpected exacerbation of the circumstances, elevated and expedited our response.""
"While we have and will continue to focus on all Davidson County residents in need and put food on their tables, we are also mindful of our fellow Metro employees also experiencing the same strain as those they serve. We're also standing in the gap for those who make our city run.” (see below “Metro Meals" for Metro employees)
WATCH: Exec. Dir. Renée Pratt Addresses Food Crisis
Metro Social Services: Food Crisis Rapid Response Plan
Response:
- Metro Meals – weekly food boxes that we are providing to Metro employees impacted by the recent economic downturn and/or will experience SNAP benefits disruption. The drive-thru giveaway will be held every Friday, beginning Nov. 7, 2025. They'll be held 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Only their Metro ID is required.
- Food Pop Ups – an on-going series of food pop ups for the community held in food deserts experiencing the most devastating effects of SNAP benefits disruption. Next one is 8 a.m., Nov.8, 2025, Greater Street. John M.B. Church, 2200 26th Avenue. N.
- Quick Meals - rapid uptick in families coming in for case management and resources, needing a "Quick Meal". Quick Meals are the supplemental meals and snacks we keep on site for clients who come in hungry and need nutrition while in our office.
- Food Access Cards - Distribution of Food Assistance Cards to families. We have a limited supply of FACs which we're providing to families enrolled in our case management program who need help purchasing food.
- Welfare Calls/Checks - increased welfare calls to our elderly, disabled, and homebound clients, increased in-home welfare checks of our clients, deployment of our Home Ambassadors who make daily meal deliveries to ask welfare specific questions of clients to identify and assess any acute and present needs related to food and health needs
- Partners - cultivate partnerships with faith-based groups, Metro Action, and multiple other agencies to coordinate the rapid deployment of food to the community as seen in our Food Pop Up series.
- Pet Parents - Provide support to the Pet Parent Program in which food boxes are given to pets and their parents in need. We find that some love their pets so much, they choose to feed them before they do themselves. We're helping to make sure the whole family eats.
Quick Numbers:
- 673 – number of our clients currently receiving SNAP benefits. Of the extensive benefit options available to clients, SNAP far outpaces the others.
- 92 – in the last two weeks, we've received and responded to over 92 calls asking specifically for help accessing food. These calls were unique in that they were *not* from clients already enrolled in our case management system.
- 64 – of the callers also expressed interest in enrolling in our daily meal delivery program which is designated for seniors and disabled only.
- 14 - number of people we fed in our office in the last two weeks
- 12 - online appointment requests of people requesting food assistance for October
Resources (MSS):
These reflect long-standing and on-going services and programs we offer at MSS to meet the immediate and future needs of individuals and families. While these are standard, they're more necessary and critical during times of crisis.
- Access to food resources where they can get immediate food
- Help applying for SNAP benefits. We're continuing to assist with paperwork to have ready once the program resumes.
- Referrals to agencies and organizations that provide free clothing
- Help with housing
- Help getting prepared for a job and actually doing job placement for individuals. **We also assist those with a criminal background, seniors, return retirees, and disabled.
- Mental Health referrals
- Specialized services for our seniors and disabled: daily welfare calls, at-home welfare checks, daily hot/cold meal delivery, rides to the doctor's office, picking up medicine, acquiring and installing critical appliances such as a heater for their home.
- Bus passes for clients enrolled in case management
How to Connect to MSS Resources
- Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 3055 Lebanon Pike, Donelson, TN. We are located need to TruFit.
- Walk-ins are welcome during office hours
- Call to make an appointment, 615-862-6432
- Visit us online to book an appointment Nashville.gov/Social-Services
General Food Resources
These are just some of the agencies to which we refer clients.
- Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee
- 50 Forward
- Ladies of Charity
- Catholic Charity
- Saint Luke's House and smaller churches that provide food boxes and have food pantries
- Nashville.gov/Food (Nashville resources)
- FeedTN.org (Tennessee)
