News Summary
The final summer mobile food pantry organized by Memphis-Shelby County Schools will be held at LaRose Elementary School. Families facing food insecurity will receive substantial food assistance, emphasizing the ongoing need due to rising grocery prices and extreme heat. With critical challenges regarding food and energy costs, the event highlights the importance of community involvement in addressing these issues. Participants are required to verify their residency to receive food on a first-come, first-served basis.
Memphis โ The final summer mobile food pantry organized by Memphis-Shelby County Schools is set to take place on Wednesday morning at LaRose Elementary School, located at 864 Willoughby Street. The event is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until all food boxes are distributed, serving families in need across the region.
This initiative has been crucial over the summer months, providing assistance to households facing food insecurity. Rising grocery prices and extreme heat have made it increasingly difficult for families throughout the Mid-South to access sufficient and safe food options. Nicole Willis, a representative from the Mid-South Food Bank, highlighted the impact of summer heat on food safety, emphasizing the need for careful handling during mobile distributions to ensure the quality of food provided.
Families attending the mobile food pantry can expect to receive between 30 to 40 pounds of food per household. This substantial support is particularly vital during the summer, when many families may find themselves in tighter financial situations due to additional costs associated with energy and food. According to recent data, as of May 2025, 25.3% of households in the U.S. reported being unable to pay their energy bills, a rise from 21.4% the previous year. This increase is placing an additional burden on families who are now forced to make difficult choices between cooling their homes and buying essential food supplies.
Compounding these challenges, the state of Tennessee has opted out of the summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, which traditionally provided food assistance to schoolchildren when school meals were not available. Instead, the state has introduced a one-time payment of $120 for low-income students, a decision that has left out many families in Shelby County who are in dire need of ongoing support.
For those wishing to participate in the mobile pantry distribution, it is important to note that individuals must provide a driverโs license or a bill to verify their name and county address. They will also need to complete an eligibility form upon arrival. Food will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis during this drive-thru pantry. Attendees are requested to remain in their vehicles during the distribution process to facilitate a safe and efficient operation.
The need for food assistance remains high, and the event underscores the importance of community support. There is a continuous demand for donations of protein-rich non-perishable items to aid the food initiatives in the area. Such contributions play a critical role in helping address food insecurity, especially during challenging times like the summer months when many families experience heightened pressures on their resources.
As the mobile food pantry wraps up its summer operations, the commitment of Memphis-Shelby County Schools and supporting organizations remains vital to ensure that food-insecure households receive the necessary assistance in a timely and effective manner.
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Additional Resources
- Action News 5
- Google Search: food pandemic Memphis
- Local Memphis
- Wikipedia: Food insecurity
- Fox 13 Memphis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: food assistance
- WREG
- Google News: mobile food pandemic Tennessee
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
