Food and hunger insecurity

Food and hunger insecurity are real issues that children and families in Tennessee face each day. Facts and information can be found here:
https://hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/understand-food-insecurity/
https://secondharvestmidtn.org/learn/hunger-research/map-the-meal-gap/

Quoted from the Second Harvest website above, “According to the latest study, released May 2018, 13 percent of Middle Tennessee residents are food insecure, meaning they have limited or uncertain access to enough food to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is just above the 12.9 percent national average. While the overall rate has decreased since 2011, the prevalence of food insecurity across the country, including in Tennessee, remains historically high since 2008 and has not yet returned to pre-Great Recession levels.

Also, 1 in 5 children in Second Harvest’s 46-county service area are food insecure. Although food insecurity is harmful to anyone, it can be particularly devastating to children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences.”

Play On, Nashville! recognizes this issue that affects children in the Nashville area. For this reason, we aim to provide healthy snack options for the children at all of our “Unite and Play On” sessions. Children who attend our sessions are able to know that they will receive a reliable healthy snack while also being physically active. Knowing that they will be provided a snack can be a source of comfort and reassurance. It is important that we support the children in this way, as nutrition plays an integral role not only in athletics and physical activity, but also in overall health and well-being.

Play On Nashville! accepts monetary donations as well as in-kind donations of healthy snacks to support this area of our mission.