FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Serving neighbors facing food insecurity is nothing new for One Generation Away (OneGenAway). The nonprofit in Franklin has been operating mobile food pantries in Middle Tennessee and beyond since 2013.

Right now, however, the founders believe there is a surge of individuals in need as the government shutdown becomes the longest in American history.

In addition to their regular services, OneGenAway has been serving furloughed federal workers since Oct. 1.

SNAP benefits went on pause this Nov. 1. So, starting November 3, OneGenAway introduced an all-new method to meet the increased demand: drive-thru food supplement pickups. 

At these events, households will receive an 18-pound box of shelf-stable food and a 10-pound box of fresh produce. No identification or registration is required and no questions are asked.

OneGenAway founder & CEO Chris Whitney said he understands it's hard to put pride to the side, but the resources are here to help anyone and everyone. It's an experience the Whitney family went through themselves.

"We were in a food line 30-something years ago when our middle daughter was born with spina bifida," said Chris Whitney, founder & CEO of OneGenAway. "When you can't provide for your family, that's really hard. So, we just want to share hope, honor, and dignity with people going through one of the hardest things there is to do: receive food."

OneGenAway’s Doorstep Pantry Home Delivery Service is also expanding by 316%, now covering most of Williamson County. Each week in November, the program will deliver boxes of food directly to doorsteps.

For the delivery program, households must register weekly by Thursday at noon. To confirm you are within the delivery zone, enter your address at doorstep.onegenaway.com.

"We get to walk through a season with you," said Whitney. "This is a season, it will come to an end."

OneGenAway is holding 16 additional pop-up box distributions, each serving up to 240 families, through partnerships with organizations across the region. A current list of mobile pantries and pop-up distribution sites is available at onegenaway.com and will be updated regularly.

On top of this, through a partnership with OneGenAway, the Metro Nashville Police Department will distribute 200 food boxes each week their precincts.

Whitney said monetary donations right now are especially valuable. In the coming days, OneGenAway is launching a campaign that will be matched up to $100,000 by a generous donor.

Whitney said, "This is our time to step up and help our friends and neighbors in need because you never know, we could be on the other side of that table at any time."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/franklin-food-bank-adds-resources-during-government-shutdown-expands-services-by-316/