Nashville Food Assistance: Food Pantries, Free Meals, and Family Resources for Summer

For many families, summer break means sleeping in, trips to the pool, and a break from the school routine. But for others, summer brings an added challenge: keeping enough food on the table when children are no longer receiving meals at school. During the school year, many students rely on free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs to help meet their daily nutritional needs. When summer arrives, families suddenly find themselves responsible for providing additional meals and snacks every day. Combined with rising grocery prices, childcare costs, and other household expenses, those extra meals can put a strain on already tight budgets.

Food insecurity is more common in Middle Tennessee than many people realize. According to Feeding America, approximately 1 in 7 children in Tennessee experiences food insecurity. Hunger doesn’t always look the way people expect. It can affect working families, single-parent households, families experiencing temporary financial setbacks, or those facing unexpected medical expenses.

If you’re finding it difficult to stretch your grocery budget this summer, you’re not alone. There are Nashville food assistance organizations through Middle Tennessee that can help. Whether you need groceries, prepared meals, assistance navigating benefits, or simply a little support during a challenging season, these resources are available to help families get through the summer months.

Free Summer Meals for Kids

Many families don’t realize that free summer meals are often available when school is out. Schools, libraries, community centers, churches, and nonprofit organizations may offer free breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for children and teens throughout the summer. Check with your local school district, library, parks department, or community center to learn about programs in your area.

Another great starting point for Nashville food assistance is the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee Food Finder, which can help connect families with food assistance resources throughout the region.

Quick Reference: Nashville Area Food Assistance

Food Pantries & Grocery Assistance

The Branch of Nashville

The Branch provides urgent food assistance for families, individuals, and older adults facing food insecurity. They serve thousands of Middle Tennesseans each month, by appointment only.

Website: https://www.thebranchofnashville.org/food-pantry/

Dream Streets

Dream Streets works with underserved Nashville communities and offers various support services, including food assistance.

Website: https://www.dreamstreets.org/

Hermitage United Methodist Church Food Pantry

This pantry operates on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Website: https://humc.org/foodpantry/

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Use the Food Finder tool to locate food pantries and distributions near you by entering your ZIP code.

Website: https://www.secondharvestmidtn.org/find-resources/find-food/

The Store

Located in the 12South area, The Store offers a free grocery shopping experience for families experiencing food insecurity. Emergency shopping assistance may be available.

Website: https://thestore.org/

East Nashville Cooperative Ministry

Provides food assistance and other support services.

Website: https://www.encm.org/

Body & Soul Food Pantry

Located at Church of the Advent Episcopal Church on Franklin Road. Open weekdays and Saturdays

Website: https://adventnashville.net/serve/body-and-soul-pantry

Hillcrest United Methodist Church Community Food Bank

The Hillcrest UMC Food Bank provides food assistance to local families in need twice a month.

Nolensville Food Pantry

Located at Providence Baptist Church, 1668 Sunset Road, Nolensville, the Nolensville Food Pantry has a distribution once a week on Thursday mornings.

Southern Hills Medical Center Food Pantry

Southern Hills hosts monthly food distributions for the community, on the first Friday of the month.

Hard Bargain Little Free Pantry

Available 24/7, outside of Hard Bargain Ty’s House at 608 Mt. Hope St., Franklin. Think of a Little Free Library, but for food.

Covenant of the Cross

Offers a church-based food pantry.

Website: https://www.covenantofthecross.com

Nashville Food Project

Provides meals and food support through community partnerships across Nashville.

Website: https://www.thenashvillefoodproject.org/

Nashville Community Fridge

A mutual-aid food resource available 24/7. Community members can take what they need and leave what they can.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvillecommunityfridge/

Mobile Food Pantries

One Generation Away

OneGenAway operates mobile food pantries throughout Middle Tennessee. Families can drive through and receive groceries at scheduled distributions.

Website: https://onegenaway.com/mobile-pantry/

Community Meals

Loaves & Fishes

Operated by Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Loaves & Fishes serves hot meals on weekends for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

Website: https://cctenn.org/causes/hunger-relief/loaves-fishes/

Trinity Commons

Located in East Nashville, Trinity Commons hosts a free community meal every Tuesday from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Families are welcome, there is space for children to play, and guests can stay and connect or simply enjoy a meal and head home.

Additional Support for Families

Get Covered Tennessee

If your family has recently lost TennCare coverage or received a denial, Get Covered Tennessee offers free assistance understanding your options, applying for coverage, or filing appeals.

Website: https://getcoveredtenn.org/

A Unique Resource: Lasagna Love

Sometimes what a family needs most isn’t a pantry visit but a home-cooked meal delivered with kindness.

Lasagna Love is a volunteer-driven organization that connects families in need with local volunteer chefs who prepare and deliver homemade lasagnas. There are no income requirements, no eligibility criteria, and no judgment. Families can request a meal up to once per month, and deliveries are made in a no-contact format.

It’s a wonderful resource for families going through a difficult season, whether due to financial hardship, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or simply feeling overwhelmed. It’s also a meaningful opportunity for those looking to volunteer and help neighbors in their community.

Website: https://lasagnalove.org/

You Are Not Alone

If you’re struggling to put food on the table this summer, please know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure. Many of these Nashville food assistance organizations exist because they understand that circumstances can change quickly and that everyone needs support sometimes.

If you know of another Nashville-area food pantry, meal program, or resource that should be included in this list, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can help connect families with the support they need and ensure that no child goes hungry this summer.

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Note: Information and schedules can change. Please contact organizations directly or visit their websites for the most current hours, eligibility requirements, and distribution schedules before visiting.