Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Search
Close this search box.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee's mission is to nourish and empower people so they can thrive.

Table of Contents

Dear Friends,

Letter From The President & CEO

As we conclude the celebration of our 46th anniversary at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the journey we have shared. Over nearly half a century, we have transformed from a small organization with a straightforward goal into the leading force in the fight against hunger across our 46-county service area. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our community to ensure that everyone in our service area has equitable access to the food and resources they need to thrive.

In these 46 years, we’ve grown from distributing just 159,000 pounds of food in our early days to more than 47 million pounds last year. Meanwhile, our new initiatives, like the Mobile Market and Project Grow, have been vital in reaching those most in need. These programs provide more than just food; they offer the nourishment and empowerment necessary for people to thrive. This remarkable expansion wasn’t achieved overnight. It was built on the steady support of people like you, who believe in being a good neighbor.

Our work is far from done. As we look ahead, we are more determined than ever to continue innovating and expanding our reach. We believe that food makes tomorrow possible. Whether it’s one meal provided, one dollar donated, or one hour volunteered, every contribution helps make tomorrow possible for everyone in our community.

In the pages of this Annual Report, you’ll find stories of resilience and hope-stories that you made possible. These aren’t just tales of food distribution. They are testaments to the power of community, to the belief that access to food is a human right, to meeting our neighbors where they are with compassion, and to the transformational power of a nourishing meal.

Thank you for standing with us. Let’s build a future where everyone is nourished and empowered to thrive.

With gratitude,

Nancy Keil
President & CEO

How We Work

OUR PROCESS​

Our Process

Here is Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s sustainable process for sourcing quality food and getting it to the people who need it most:

Vision: We are committed to working toward a future in which everyone is food secure, and no food is wasted.

Foundation: Everything we do is rooted in the foundation of providing food for today, food for tomorrow, and food for a lifetime. We are providing nutritious food that meets our neighbors’ immediate needs, equipping them to thrive with holistic support, and working toward long-term solutions to food insecurity.

Food: We provide a diverse array of food items chosen to meet the nutritional, cultural, and situational needs of our neighbors. We ensure that our neighbors have equitable access to food regardless of their situation.

Logistics: Our warehouses are strategically located to meet the needs of our neighbors where they are. Our operations have been refined to be as efficient, safe, and sustainable as possible. This is how we were able to distribute more than 47 million pounds of food last year.

Distribution: We distribute food to our neighbors through our strategically selected Partners and programs. This way we can serve our neighbors in the most effective, ethical, and holistic way possible.

Our Programs

Second Harvest serves groups that each have unique needs, so we have programs designed specifically to meet them. From children to seniors, we make sure each person is getting what they need in the most accessible way.

Our Partners

We have trusted relationships with Partners who help us source and distribute food. Our Partners include more than 600 organizations across Middle and West Tennessee. We also work with more than 300 local grocery stores to rescue quality food items that would otherwise end up in landfills, and we work with local farmers to source farm fresh food and reduce waste. We are grateful to our Partners who help us fight food insecurity.

46 Years of Serving Middle and West Tennessee

Feeding Programs

At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program

Second Harvest sponsors nine At-Risk Afterschool meal programs and provides over 68,000 meals to participating children during the school year. The program runs for 10 months during the school year and food costs are reimbursed through the USDA-funded Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

BackPack Program

The BackPack Program provides easy-to-prepare food for children experiencing food insecurity on weekends and during school breaks when other resources are unavailable. More than 6,800 children received BackPacks throughout the 38-week school year.

Healthcare

Our healthcare programs are vital in addressing the intersection between hunger and health. We have food pharmacies at select federally qualified health clinics that provide nourishment to neighbors who struggle with food insecurity. In addition to food, they are equipped with other necessary wraparound services to address all social determinants of health.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

CSFP works to improve the health of low-income senior adults at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. CSFP is a USDA-funded program contracted by the Tennessee Department of Health and last year provided a monthly food box to cover over 900 participating low-income seniors.

Disaster Response

Disaster Response extends beyond Middle and West Tennessee, as we frequently collaborate with The Feeding America Food Bank Network to provide shelf stable foods and emergency food boxes to individuals affected by natural disasters across the country. With the necessary products, dedicated volunteers, and a well-equipped facility, we are prepared to deliver both ready-to-eat meals, non-perishable foods to those in need of disaster relief, ensuring they receive the essential nourishment required during challenging times.

Farm to Families

The Farm to Families Program engages farmers and Partner Agencies to supply locally grown, nutritious produce to those in need, ensuring less food goes to waste. The Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) grant has made it possible for Second Harvest to provide fresh, nutritious foods to our neighbors, showcase regional producers, and strengthen our local economy. In 2023, Second Harvest supported 23 counties, 46 Partner Agencies, and purchased from 50 local growers and producers through the LFPA grant.

Double JB Farm is a Veteran-owned farm that grows a diverse range of produce and even raises goats in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Their partnership with Second Harvest has provided them with critical support, including funding for new freezers and expanded market access, all while allowing Second Harvest to increase equitable access to farm fresh food for our neighbors.

Innovative Meal Solutions

Our Innovative Meal Solutions’ capabilities include tray-packs designed by our Registered Dietitians and curated by our chef. The meals and ingredients produced can target specific dietary health needs such as low sodium, diabetic support, and nutritionally balanced portions meeting specific needs of our neighbors.

Mobile Market

The Mobile Market brings essential grocery items, like fresh produce, dairy, pantry staples, meat, and eggs, directly to communities most impacted by food insecurity. The Mobile Market overcomes the transportation barrier for those living in food deserts or who are unable to travel to the nearest grocery store. Additionally, wraparound services offering resources like diapers to new parents, legal support, SNAP enrollment, and Medicaid enrollment are available at Mobile Market locations, providing further support to families in need.

Mobile Pantry

Second Harvest coordinates large-scale, one-day distributions with Partner Agencies to provide food directly to individuals and families in need. Atypical Mobile Pantry provides on average 250 households with two weeks of groceries. More than 159,000 individuals received assistance through this program.

LYVONTE , a Second Harvest driver, is behind countless pounds of rescued food that will make its way to our neighbors across our service area. Whether he is picking up milk from Dollar General or collecting surplus produce from local farms, Lyvonte ensures that every item finds its way to tables in Middle and West Tennessee. He's helping to reduce waste and provide nourishment throughout the community!

Food Rescue Program

Second Harvest rescues, sorts, and distributes frozen meat, dairy, produce, and dry groceries from grocery stores and food donors through its Food Rescue Program. Second Harvest rescued 13,251,906 pounds of food from 350 grocery stores. Alongside our grocery partners, Second Harvest rescued food from local farmers, manufacturers, and individual donors. In total, 29,679,823 pounds of safe food was diverted from landfills last year.

Partners

Second Harvest distributes food and other products to our network of 615 Partners in Middle and West Tennessee. Partners include after-school programs, soup kitchens, senior centers, and other nonprofit Partner Agencies. Our Partners are strategically selected to serve our neighbors in the most effective, ethical, and holistic way possible.

Project Preserve®

Project Preserve is the social enterprise of Second Harvest. We provide low cost quality food items for other nonprofits fighting food insecurity, including Feeding America food banks and Second Harvest’s Partners. Our products include Disaster boxes, Holiday boxes, Health needs specific boxes, Backpacks, Staple Pantry items, Direct from Manufacturer orders, and Customizable orders.

Neighbor Care Pantry

The Neighbor Care Pantry Program provides food assistance and wraparound services to individuals and families facing a crisis situation through 6 sites in Davidson County. More than 1.7 million meals were provided through the program, which included two to three days of staple food items based on the number of people in the household.

School Food Pantry Program

The School Food Pantry Program increases food access for school children and their families. School-based pantries have a permanent residence within a school where food is brought and distributed monthly. More than 338,000 meals were provided through 50 sites.

Senior Nutrion Program

The Senior Nutrition Program provides low-income senior adults with food resources that are nutritious, easy-to-prepare, and shelf-stable. The food is distributed weekly or monthly depending on the senior’s needs and includes multilingual nutrition education for seniors in the program.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

Second Harvest sponsors SFSP at 16 sites throughout Middle and West Tennessee each summer. Through this program, we provided more than 30,000 meals to help ensure that low-income children continued to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach

Second Harvest offers SNAP outreach and application assistance at our Neighbor Care Pantries, Mobile Pantry distributions, and Partner Agency locations. We share information about the benefits and provide prescreening for people who may qualify. Second Harvest SNAP Outreach team helped more than 1400 neighbors complete their SNAP application.

Workforce Development

Second Harvest offers a comprehensive Workforce Development Training program aimed at individuals interested in pursuing a career in the food production industry. This 8 to 10 week program offers a paid stipend and is designed to give hands-on training in food handling, safety, quality controls, recipe development, resume writing, and job interviewing skills to participants. The participants receive industry recognized certifications upon passing the HACCP exam. The program also provides stipends for transportation and childcare to minimize barriers to access. With no prior experience necessary, this initiative, funded by United Way of Greater Nashville, aims to equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive and address the root causes of food insecurity.

Stories Of Hope

StoriesofHope_Chris
Chris has faced more challenges than most could imagine. PTSD, agoraphobia, and panic attacks made everyday tasks, like getting food, beyond just difficult for Chris. Despite these hardships, he worked in construction until 2012 and even wrote an autobiography in his spare time. Now, living in an RV with his dog on a fixed income, Chris often gets by just on oatmeal and iced tea. With limited access to affordable and healthy food in his area, he relies on the support of Second Harvest. This consistent access to nutritious food has been a lifeline for Chris, improving his physical and mental health and showing him how much his community cares. “If it wasn’t for this food, I don’t know what I would do,” he says. “This is my lifesaver. Thank you.”
Chris
StoriesofHope_Maya
Maya is a seventh grader who loves writing argumentative essays in her English class and enjoys singing in the choir. However, she finds it hard to focus in class or get ready for after-school activities when she’s hungry. Thanks to Second Harvest, Maya receives nutritious snacks at school, with cereal being her favorite. She shares, “It is hard to get nutritious food. Getting it at school just makes things easier.”
Maya
StoriesofHope_Dale
Dale, a Vietnam Veteran from Linden, Tennessee, began visiting the Perry County Senior Center after noticing the community gathering there during his regular Tuesday breakfasts at the Veteran’s Service Office. Now, he not only gets himself a nourishing meal but also empowers other Veterans in town by delivering extra lunches to those who can’t drive.“The people I deliver food to are disabled, and some aren’t even able to hold a conversation. I don’t know where they would get food from if it weren’t here,” Dale shares. He adds, “Things are expensive for older people, so we need this.”
Dale

Our Impact

Counties Served
0
Pounds of Food Distributed
0 M
Hours Generously Donated by Dedicated Volunteers
0
Meals Provided
0 M
Of Every Dollar Donated Goes Directly to Feeding Programs
0 ¢
Pounds of Fresh Produce Distributed
0 M
Pounds of Food Rescued From Food Rescue
0 M
OurImpact_Cheyanne
Cheyenne is a young mother who recently visited a Mobile Pantry with her two-year-old daughter, Jacelyn. Expecting another baby and having lost her job due to pregnancy, her family is struggling to juggle the costs of daycare, a car payment, and living expenses on a single income. Thankfully, Cheyenne knows she can rely on Second Harvest to help nourish her family and empower them with the tools needed to navigate their financial challenges while she prepares to start her new part-time job in the medical field.
Cheyanne
Stewart County
OurImpact_Adela
Adela, a 34-year-old mother of three, lives with her husband in White House. Both work hard-Adela as a housecleaner and h e r husband in landscaping-but the family is still struggling to recover from financial setbacks. With three growing children, ages 13, 9, and 7, the cost of groceries often becomes over-whelming. When their budget is stretched too thin, Adela turns to Second Harvest for support. “This is a lot of help,” she shares. “With three kids, the meals, it’s hard sometimes. Thank you so much for the help you give us.”
Adela
Sumner County
OurImpact_Larry
Larry is a longtime resident of Franklin County, but he is facing significant health and financial challenges after suffering two strokes in the past year. With no health insurance and only a small retirement check to rely on, he struggles to handle medical bills while also managing his diabetes. Despite these difficulties, Larry expresses deep gratitude for the support he receives, saying, “God bless all of the people for doing what they’re doing. If it weren’t for them, a lot of people would go hungry.”
Larry
Franklin County
OurImpact_Dorothy
Dorothy moved to Tennessee 30 years ago and has built a life around helping others. As a retired nursing assistant, Dorothy now works just part-time but finds her true calling in volunteering at a Second Harvest Mobile Pantry, where she’s both received food and volunteered for more than three years. “One of the best parts of volunteering is meeting the people,” she says. Dorothy values the sense of community in Smith County, where, as she puts it, “everybody loves everybody,” and the help she receives means the world to her and many others struggling to make ends meet.
Dorothy
Smith County
Counties Served
0
Pounds of Food Distributed
0 M
Counties Served
0
Counties Served
0
Counties Served
0
Counties Served
0
Counties Served
0

Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope ®

Friends of The Food Bank​

This year, we saw the return of Friends of the Food Bank, a dynamic group of young professionals who are dedicated to supporting Second Harvest. Through volunteer efforts, fundraising events, and advocacy, they empower their community to act against hunger. By leveraging their skills and networks, Friends of the Food Bank helps nourish families, ensuring that no one in Middle or West Tennessee goes without the food they need to thrive.

Neighbor To Neighbor Council

Neighbor to Neighbor Councils are meetings with community members that aim to foster direct dialogue between the people we serve and Second Harvest. Our goal is to better understand the needs of our community, improve food distribution, and explore additional wraparound services our neighbors need. At the councils, our neighbors have shared their need for more mobile food distributions due to transportation challenges and how important increased access to fresh produce is in their lives. Second Harvest is responding by expanding our Mobile Market program, encouraging Partners to adopt choice models, and prioritizing fresh foods at distributions.

Tennessee Food Bank Association

The five Feeding America food banks of Tennessee have joined together for the formation of the Tennessee Food Bank Association, serving the 1 in 8 Tennesseans facing food insecurity. This new coalition includes Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Mid-South Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. Together, these food banks work with over 1,600 Partner Agencies across all 95 counties in Tennessee. The association will enhance statewide awareness of food insecurity, grow food and funding programs, and strengthen advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels.

Mobile Market

The Mobile Market brings fresh and nutritious food and wraparound services directly to neighborhoods. By prioritizing communities that lack access to grocery stores, the Mobile Market ensures more families have access to the healthy food they need to thrive. In addition to nutritious food, the Mobile Market provides wraparound services like financial counseling and health screenings. This ensures families have the resources they need to build a more secure future. Thanks to the Mobile Market’s 95 neighborhood stops in FY24, over 21,000 people had a nourishing meal on their table.

Project Grow Educational Series

This year, Second Harvest launched an Educational Series in collaboration with UT Extension Office at our 18-acre agriculture initiative, Project Grow, to empower our neighbors with the practical skills and knowledge needed to fight hunger. We have hosted five monthly classes covering a range of topics, including cooking demonstrations, food preservation, gardening, cooking with seasonal produce, and chronic disease education. Each class features a hands-on activity, such as building a container garden, fostering a neighbor-centric approach that emphasizes community building alongside education. Topics were chosen based on neighbor feedback, ensuring our neighbors are getting the knowledge they need to thrive.

Stars for Second Harvest​

Stars for Second Harvest, sponsored by Nissan, returned on June 6 with a stellar lineup hosted and headlined by ERNEST, and featuring performances by Darius Rucker, HARDY, Lukas Nelson, Chase Rice, and more. Thanks to generous donors, the event raised over 1.4 million meals for our Middle and West Tennessee neighbors, marking it as the most successful Stars for Second Harvest ever!

Tapestry

We continue to reflect on the success of Tapestry, a remarkable evening that highlighted the 46-year history of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and the 46 counties we serve. We honored Second Harvest’s legacy and recognized the individuals and partners whose contributions are shaping a brighter future for our community. Thanks to you, Tapestry provided 1.9 million meals to our neighbors facing hunger. Each meal symbolizes hope, nourishment, and a meaningful step toward a hunger-free community where everyone has access to the food and resources they need to thrive. Thank you to our Signature Sponsors Amazon, Kroger, Lifepoint, and Nissan for helping us make a difference.

Proudly Serving 46 Counties

In Middle and West Tennessee

COUNTYPartner AgenciesFood-Insecure IndividualsFood-Insecure ChildrenTOTAL MEALS PROVIDED
TOTALS413409,990108,25041,214,150
bedford (1)BEDFORD117,2502,1401443,265
benton (1)BENTON72,970650754,306
cannon (1)CANNON12,330530155,788
CARROLL (1)CARROLL34,6501,29026,019
CHEATHAM (1)CHEATHAM55,1501,030286,264
CHESTER (1)CHESTER32,430620126,526
CLAY (1)CLAY21,520300110,512
COFFEE (1)COFFEE179,7502,6601,960,459
DAVIDSON (1)DAVIDSON11193,49028,67010,581,859
DECATUR (1)DECATUR41,960420236,178
DEKALB (1)DEKALB43,820930267,891
DICKSON (1)DICKSON57,4001,710520,306
FRANKLIN (1)FRANKLIN66,8001,570517,217
GIBSON (1)GIBSON77,7702,400686,907
GILES (1)GILES64,3401,070511,546
HARDIN (1)HARDIN64,7701,130423,530
HENDERSON (1)HENDERSON74,6801,190303,035
HENRY (1)HENRY75,6501,520308,067
HICKMAN (1)HICKMAN33,870910639,356
HOUSTON (1)HOUSTON31,320290187,278
HUMPHREYS (1)HUMPHREYS62,770660482,359
JACKSON (1)JACKSON12,220420291,908
LAWRENCE (1)LAWRENCE77,2301,880612,268
LEWIS (1)LEWIS32,2805301,474,596
LINCOLN (1)LINCOLN64,9901,160421,552
MACON (1)MACON44,2001,060420,818
MARSHALL (1)MARSHALL35,0201,260328,651
MAURY (1)MAURY2011,9003,1301,602,226
MONTGOMERYMONTGOMERY2129,88010,9401,998,563
MOORE (1)MOORE182014061,516
OVERTON (1)OVERTON23,760830709,184
PERRY (1)PERRY11,410390381,331
PICKETT (1)PICKETT1100020072,981
PUTNAM (1)PUTNAM2012,5002,8001,112,254
ROBERTSON (1)ROBERTSON69,1102,270656,249
RUTHERFORD (1)RUTHERFORD2139,69011,2802,629,785
Smith (1)SMITH23,140760345,542
STEWART (1)STEWART52,020480203,635
SUMNER (1)SUMNER2023,6505,9901,466,352
TROUSDALE (1)TROUSDALE31,450310161,721
WARREN (1)WARREN47,0501,900459,827
WAYNE (1)WAYNE22,940580198,500
WEAKLEY (1)WEAKLEY55,6501,290301,643
WHITE (1)WHITE64,4801,020528,056
WILLIAMSON (1)WILLIAMSON821,7902,3003,097,413
WILSON (1)WILSON1717,1203,6401,019,989

Food insecurity data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2022 Study, the most recent year the data was collected.

Our Resources

Where our food
comes from

where our
food goes

where our
resources come from

Screenshot 2024-12-19 at 12.33.34 PM

where our
funding comes from

Statement of Activities

PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUEWithout Donor RestrictionsWith Donor RestrictionsTotals
TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUE$89,869,290 $1,213,949$91,083,239
Donated Food$56,882,434$-$56,882,434
Contributions of cash and financial assets$14,783,736$2,611,574$17,395,310
Contributions of non-financial asset$213,062-$213,062
Government grants - cash$6,083,669-$6,083,669
Government grants - commodities$15,118,060-$15,118,060
Special events and activities$641,728-$641,728
Less: direct benefits to donors ($47,550)- ($47,550)
Investment income (loss), net$3,655,886-$3,655,886
Agency transportation reimbursement and other income$458,249-$458,249
Net assets released in satisfaction of program restrictions$3,334,425($3,334,425)-
REVENUE - PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAMWithout Donor RestrictionsWith Donor RestrictionsTOTALS
TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE$94,299,913 $1,213,949$95,513,862
Sales to out of area network agencies, net of discount$48,520,738-$48,520,738
Sales to local agencies$4,033,637-$4,033,637
TOTAL REVENUE - PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAM$52,554,375-$52,554,375
LESS DIRECT COSTS AND EXPENSES - PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAM($47,769,966)-($47,769,966)
GROSS PROFIT FROM PROJECT PRESERVE® PROGRAM$4,784,409-$4,784,409
EXPENSESWithout Donor RestrictionsWith Donor RestrictionsTotals
NET ASSETS - END OF YEAR$65,899,298$2,786,829 $68,686,127
Program services:
Emergency Food Box$3,364,595-$3,364,595
Community Food Partners$77,130,138-$77,130,138
Children’s Programs$2,681,279-$2,681,279
Mobile Pantry$11,039,466-$11,039,466
Total Program Services$94,215,478-$94,215,478
Supporting services:
Management and general$1,512,730-$1,512,730
Fundraising$4,618,883-$4,618,883
Total Supporting Services$6,131,613-$6,131,613
TOTAL EXPENSES$100,347,091-$100,347,091
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS$5,561,017($722,851)$4,838,166
NET ASSETS - BEGINNING OF YEAR$60,338,281$3,509,680$63,847,961
Donate Now

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jennifer Peters

Board Chair

Drew Berg

Board Vice Chair

Sonya Hostetler

Board Secretary

Bruce Esworthy

Board Treasurer

Nancy Keil

President & CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Dave Alperson
  • Michelle Bonnett
  • Suzanne Buchanan
  • Gerard Bullock
  • Dr. Juliana Ospina Cano
  • Rob Cook
  • Lee Cunningham
  • Darren DeGennaro

MEMBERS CTD.

  • Dwayne Greene
  • Wade Hunt
  • Jerome Katz
  • Kim Less
  • Brad Marks
  • Lindsey Paola
  • Tuwisha Rogers
  • Derek Schraw
  • Ruza Shellaway
  • Brooke Baird Smith
  • Cathy Spencer
  • Ute Strand
  • Finis Stribling, III
  • Ryan Tabor
  • Carman Wenkoff
  • David Whelan
  • Erin H. Wilkins
  • Nancy Youssef

INTERNS

  • Max Hackenbrack
  • Benjamin Hertaus
  • Elizabeth Jones
  • Tate Pierson
Second Harvest logo
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin-in
@2harvestmidtn

Site Designed and Developed by 5by5 - A Change Agency