November 2025 Community Spotlight

This month, we are highlighting food insecurity, which is at the forefront in our community right now. With the recent SNAP benefits paused, learn how you can be a blessing to your community and your neighbor.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is undergoing upheaval, as the program was initially pausing on November 1st. but now is reportedly operating at half the normal benefits during November. This means that our local neighbors who rely on financial assistance to meet their food needs will be facing hardship. November payments have already been delayed for many people, and it’s unclear how long this upheaval will last.

Changes to SNAP affect 34,000 people in Hamilton County alone (11,000 of these are students). SNAP provided an astonishing nine meals for every one provided by our local food bank and serves about one in eight Americans. According to United Way, their 211 Helpline has experienced a 50% increase in total call volume, driven entirely by food-related requests.

Who relies on SNAP?

Families and individuals on SNAP are just like us – made in the image of God. SNAP participants include the materially poor, our neighbors, people working multiple jobs who can’t keep up, the disabled, the homeless, victims of domestic violence, those facing loss of employment through a health or other crisis, and the elderly. They are our neighbors.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is undergoing upheaval, as the program was initially pausing on November 1^st, but now is reportedly operating at half the normal benefits during November. This means that our local neighbors who rely on financial assistance to meet their food needs will be facing hardship. November payments have already been delayed for many people, and it’s unclear how long this upheaval will last.

Who relies on SNAP?

Families and individuals on SNAP are just like us – made in the image of God. SNAP participants include the materially poor, our neighbors, who include people working multiple jobs who can’t keep up, the disabled, the homeless, victims of domestic violence, those facing loss of employment through a health or other crisis, and the elderly. They are our neighbors.

Who is coordinating local efforts?

Meeting the need will require a rapid response from the community, both through giving and volunteering. The United Way is spearheading many of these efforts to coordinate aid. Here is their call to action and collaboration.

We are pleased to report that families whose children receive SNAP benefits will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch at school.

Pray Chattanooga is keeping local churches informed, and they provided the following advice:

Church Food Pantries operate around the city, each with its own schedule. (View here)
If you want to work with a local school, we understand that the best avenue is to reach out to the school’s social worker.
Food pantries that have relationships with the Food Bank are often able to get food cheaper from the Food Bank than you could from the grocery store. Ask your local food pantry if they purchase from the Food Bank, and if they prefer you to donate financially rather than buying food yourself.

How to Give

You can support local efforts to provide food to those in need by giving to the Generosity Fund at The Generosity Trust. We will work directly with local organizations to disburse pooled donations. To make a donation via your DAF, you may request a transfer. Non-DAF holders can give here:

TGT GENEROSITY FUND

Support the Chattanooga Area Food Bank! You can donate directly or via your DAF.
Support your local food pantry or church. Donate to the pantry to purchase supplies when possible. If they prefer, host a food drive.
If you know a neighbor or friend who is impacted, ask them how you can help and what types of items they would love to cook for their own family.
Donate to your favorite nonprofit that provides relief work or hosts a pantry.

How to Volunteer

Visit the Food Bank’s website to pick up a shift.
Work with your local pantry to work a shift.
Help with local snack packs so students can bring home food for the weekend.
Help your neighbor find food or encourage them to call 211.

Learn More

Be the Change hosts an Empty Bowls event to help pay down school food debt (for families who do not receive free school meals, but cannot afford to pay for them).

If you have read The Chalmer’s Center’s “When Helping Hurts,” you may be familiar with the concepts of “relief, rehabilitation, and development.” Times of crisis (like now) call for relief, which is urgent, immediate assistance to reduce suffering. The work of development is longer-term and more participatory. If you want to learn more about community development principles, we encourage you to check out their resources.

Upcoming Events & Resources

*Here are some community wide events. Please contact these organizations directly to register or volunteer.

November 2nd: Daylight Savings Time ends and our clocks “fall back” an hour

November 5th: Pray Chattanooga Noonday Prayer

November 10th: Pray Chattanooga Citywide Worship Night

November 12th: Pray Chattanooga Ministry Leaders’ Luncheon

November 20th: Gratefull Chattanooga Free Thanksgiving Meal

November 27th: Thanksgiving Day and the Grateful Gobbler Walk

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