How do I apply for SNAP?

Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Can I use a food bank without applying?

Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.

Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?

Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What is summer food service?

USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.

Food Assistance in Tennessee

16 verified resources.

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Memphis Area Legal Services, and West Tennessee Legal Services cover the state.

16 Resources

1. Tennessee SNAP — Free

Tennessee's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program providing monthly benefits on an EBT card for eligible low-income residents to purchase groceries at authorized retailers statewide. Apply online through the One DHS portal or at a local DHS office. Applicants should bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of income for the past 30 days, and a current utility bill or lease. Eligibility is based on household size and income.

866-311-4287 · Apply online or at local DHS office · Online 24/7; offices Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Tennessee WIC Program — Free

Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and supplemental food benefits to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 in Tennessee. Benefits can be used at authorized grocery stores for approved foods such as formula, dairy, produce, and whole grains. Appointments are required at local WIC clinics; bring photo ID, proof of Tennessee residency, proof of income, and child immunization records. Eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk.

1-800-342-5942 · WIC clinics throughout all Tennessee counties · Varies by clinic; appointment required · Visit Website

3. Mid-South Food Bank (Memphis) — Free

Serves West Tennessee and the Mid-South region through a network of 300+ partner agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, and social service programs. Distributes millions of pounds of food annually to families, children, and seniors facing hunger. Residents seeking food should contact their nearest partner pantry; no prior registration with the food bank itself is needed. Visit the website to find the closest distribution site by ZIP code.

901-527-0841 · 3625 E Holmes Rd, Memphis, TN 38118 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm · Visit Website

4. Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee (Knoxville) — Free

Serves 18 East Tennessee counties through a network of partner agencies including food pantries, meal programs, and community organizations, distributing millions of pounds of food each year to individuals and families in need. Residents can find the nearest food pantry or distribution site by searching the website or calling the main line. No prior registration with the food bank is required; check with the local partner site about any required ID or intake forms.

865-521-0000 · 136 Harvest Ln, Maryville, TN 37801 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Chattanooga Area Food Bank — Free

Serves 20 counties in the Chattanooga region through 250+ partner agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, after-school meal programs, and senior nutrition sites. Distributes millions of pounds of food annually to families facing hunger across Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Residents can find the nearest food pantry by calling or searching the website by ZIP code. Check with the local partner site about ID or intake requirements.

423-622-1800 · 2009 Curtain Pole Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37406 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

6. Tennessee 2-1-1 - Food Assistance — Free

Free statewide helpline available 24/7 connecting Tennessee residents to nearby food pantries, hot meal programs, SNAP enrollment sites, and emergency food resources. Trained specialists search a live database of community resources by your location and situation. Call 211, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or visit 211tn.org to find options near you. No registration or insurance is required, and the service is available in English and Spanish.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Feeding America - TN Food Banks — Free

National hunger relief network with multiple Tennessee member food banks serving every county in the state. Use the online ZIP code locator at feedingamerica.org to find your nearest food bank and local partner pantries or meal programs. Tennessee member banks include Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Mid-South Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, and Chattanooga Area Food Bank. No registration required to use the locator.

Search by TN zip code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

8. Nashville Rescue Mission — Free

Nashville nonprofit providing free hot meals, emergency shelter, and long-term recovery programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or crisis in the Nashville area. The dining hall serves meals daily with no ID or registration required. Those seeking shelter or recovery services should call or walk in to begin intake; bringing photo ID and any relevant health or sobriety documentation speeds the process. Capacity may be limited at times.

615-255-2475 · 639 Lafayette St, Nashville, TN 37203 · Meals daily; shelter 24/7 · Visit Website

9. Manna Cafe Ministries (Clarksville) — Free

Clarksville nonprofit serving free hot meals, operating a food pantry, and providing emergency grocery assistance to families in need in the Montgomery County area. Meals are served regularly at the main location; no photo ID or registration is required for meals. Pantry clients should call ahead to confirm hours and any ID or address verification requirements. The organization also connects clients to additional Clarksville-area resources for housing and utility needs.

931-933-0970 · 100 Kraft St, Clarksville, TN 37040 · Meal schedule varies; check website · Visit Website

10. Good Samaritan Ministries (Johnson City) — Free

Provides food pantry services, free hot meals, and emergency financial assistance to individuals and families in need in the Johnson City and Washington County area. Food pantry clients should call ahead to confirm current distribution hours and any required documentation such as photo ID or proof of address. Meals are generally served without registration. The organization can also connect clients to additional Tri-Cities-area resources for housing and utility assistance.

423-926-3494 · 110 W Pine St, Johnson City, TN 37604 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

11. Chattanooga Community Kitchen — Free

Serves free hot meals to individuals and families in need in the Chattanooga area Monday through Friday. No photo ID or proof of income is required to receive a meal. The kitchen also offers case management and connections to community resources for housing, employment, and benefits. Individuals seeking additional wraparound support should ask staff about available services during or after a meal visit.

423-756-4222 · 727 E 11th St, Chattanooga, TN 37403 · Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-12:30pm

12. Tennessee Free and Reduced School Meals — Free

Tennessee public schools provide free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch to children from income-qualifying families during the school year. Families apply through their child's school or school district each fall; applications require household income information and Social Security numbers. Contact your school's main office or the district's nutrition department for paper or online applications. Approval is confidential and benefits children at all grade levels statewide.

Tennessee public schools statewide · School days

13. Salvation Army Memphis - Food Services — Free

Provides free meals, food pantry distributions, and emergency food assistance to individuals and families in need across the Memphis and Shelby County area. Meal programs are generally available without registration; food pantry clients should call ahead to confirm current hours and any required documentation such as photo ID or proof of address. The Memphis Salvation Army can also connect clients to additional emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and clothing.

901-529-4545 · 696 Jackson Ave, Memphis, TN 38105 · Mon-Fri; meal times vary · Visit Website

14. Second Harvest - Mobile Food Pantry (Middle TN) — Free

Mobile food distribution program by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee bringing free fresh produce, dairy, protein, and pantry staples to underserved communities across all 46 Middle Tennessee counties. No registration is required; residents simply show up at a scheduled distribution site. Check the Second Harvest website or call to find the next distribution date and location nearest you. Quantities are limited so arriving early is recommended.

615-329-3491 · Various locations — check schedule · Distribution dates/times vary · Visit Website

15. USDA Summer Meals for Kids (Tennessee) — Free

Free nutritious meals for children and teens 18 and under at sites across Tennessee during summer break when school meal programs are not in session. No registration is required and meals are provided regardless of income. To find the nearest summer meal site, text FOOD to 304-304, call 1-866-348-6479, or visit the USDA site locator online. Sites include parks, libraries, community centers, and schools.

1-866-348-6479 · Sites statewide — text FOOD to 304-304 · Summer months; meal times vary by site · Visit Website

16. The Mustard Seed Ranch (Knoxville) — Free

Knoxville nonprofit offering free food distribution, community meals, and grocery assistance to families in need across East Tennessee. Programs include regular pantry distributions and community meal events. Clients should call ahead to confirm current distribution days, times, and any ID or address verification requirements. The organization also connects families to additional Knoxville-area resources for emergency assistance, clothing, and other basic needs.

865-522-7473 · Knoxville, TN · Distribution days vary

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?: Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?: Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?: Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?: USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.