Knoxville Mayor Proposes $100,000 for Local Food Pantries as SNAP Benefits Remain Suspended
Knoxville, TN – November 10, 2025 - Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon is proposing a $100,000 donation to the United Way of Greater Knoxville to support local food pantries as approximately 35,000 Knox County residents continue to experience a lapse in SNAP (supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. the proposal, announced today, aims to address the urgent need for food assistance following a series of court rulings that have halted SNAP funding in tennessee since November 1.
According to an ordinance proposed by Kincannon, the city funds will be distributed by the United Way to organizations “that are best suited to appropriately address this urgent need.”
The move comes after Governor bill Lee announced on November 4 a statewide commitment of $5 million to five food banks, with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee receiving $850,000. Second Harvest, which serves 18 counties including Knox County, anticipates receiving the state funds within the next week, according to Chief Marketing Officer Michael Torano. The state allocated emergency support based on regional populations of SNAP recipients.
The majority of SNAP beneficiaries in Knox County are extremely low-income families with children, seniors, adn individuals with disabilities, many of whom have already turned to local food pantries for assistance.
While the U.S. Senate has taken initial steps toward a resolution to a recent government shutdown that contributed to the SNAP funding issues, the agreement still requires a vote in the house of Representatives and President Donald Trump’s signature to become law.
