NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee residents are inching closer to a delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits starting Nov. 1.

Food banks are scrambling to prepare, and many are asking for donations. A Nashville woman has created a resource explaining what you should and shouldn’t donate and what resources are available.

Hai Anh Dinh started a community supper club called the "Collective Affair" back in 2018. The supper club is a dinner where Dinh partners with different charities and nonprofit organizations, and all proceeds go towards helping the charities' cause.

“I believe there’s a seat at the table for everyone,” Dinh said. “And it was a way to be able to connect and share a meal with our neighbors while giving back to our community.”

Dinh saw several conversations and posts surrounding SNAP benefits and how it’s affecting the community. Many of whom are at risk for losing those benefits.

Dinh decided to share the community organizations she partners with across social media so people could find access to resources and support food banks that need it.

“I don’t think everyone is aware of how many resources are in our community or in Middle Tennessee,” Dinh said. “I just shared it, collaborated and tagged all these programs, food centers, meal programs, food banks and shared it.”

Dinh hopes these resources continue to be passed along and shared with their neighbors.

Across Nashville, people are looking to help provide resources. She hopes her list answers the question: “How can I get involved?”

Food banks need various resources. Their top needs right now are food, nonperishable food items, corn based products, peanut butter, pastas, canned milk and vegetables. With the loss of this aid, she said more neighbors and community residents are going to be affected.

“With grants being cut, you have to imagine the burden these food banks and distribution centers are facing,” Dinh said.

Dinh said as beneficial as it is to have resources, she hopes more people volunteer to show up to meal programs and help.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/nashville-woman-creates-resource-list-for-residents-to-support-food-banks-amid-snap-cuts/