A Cookeville Church, one of many across the Upper Cumberland, stepping up in the aftermath of SNAP benefit delays, recognizing the need for food and community.
First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee Member Kelly Appleton said the church has added the meals due to the uncertainty of the government shutdown. Appleton said the church will provide a hot meal for those who struggle with food insecurity an additional two Wednesdays a month.
“Well, with everything going on with Congress not being able to fund the government and we know how food insecure our community was,” Appleton said. “We didn’t think two meals was enough. So instead of just Saturday brunches, we wanted to be something mid-week.”
Appleton said Member Stacie Trent and the committee formed the Giving Griddle, noticing Cookeville has a large food insecure population. Appleton said the Committee agreed the Giving Griddle would be a way to address this need in an efficient way. Appleton said they fix a brunch two times a month for the community
“We could cook a warm, hot meal right then and there in the parking lot of church and invite anybody,” Appleton said. “Including our congregation that just wants to come and enjoy a meal and have community with anybody in our community.”
Appleton said the church provides for the community through donations through the congregation. Appleton said the congregation donates a variety of food for those struggling in the community. Appleton said the church often sees about 50 to 60 people donate on average.
Appleton said these community meals allow the church to provide a safe social space for those that may not have one, encouraging social interaction through games and chatter while they prepare food.
“The idea was to open it up to those who are food insecure,” Appleton said. “But you know what we found out not only are the food insecure usually un-housed, they’re lacking social interaction.”
