Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ Provides Up to 1,200 Free Meals Daily to Children During Summer Program

Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ in North Nashville operates a summer meals program that provides between 800 and 1,200 free meals daily to children across Davidson County and surrounding communities. The initiative, part of the church’s ongoing outreach efforts, addresses food insecurity during school breaks when many children rely on meals provided at school.

Pastor Eric Stevenson, who has led the church for over a decade, explains that the program helps children who may not have consistent access to nutritious meals during the summer months. “We know that for many children, school is where they receive some of their healthiest meals,” Stevenson said. “When summer comes, that need doesn’t go away.”

The church serves children in various parts of Nashville, including North, South, East, and West Nashville, as well as Lavergne. Volunteers prepare meals at the church before distributing them to multiple community sites each day. Once the summer program concludes in late July, the ministry shifts to an after-school meals program, offering food assistance throughout much of the year.

According to Metro Social Services, nearly one in five Nashville children face food insecurity, while one in 10 Nashvillians experiences hunger. The department also notes that food costs have risen by about 25% since the pandemic, while wages have not kept pace. Stevenson emphasizes that these challenges underscore the church’s continued commitment to the program.

“This is one of the biggest outreach programs that we have,” Stevenson said. “The response from the community has been overwhelming. We’ve had families cook for us on the last day of the program, come up and hug us, and thank us for being there.”

In addition to the summer meals program, Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ hosts annual holiday food giveaways, distributing hundreds of complete Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. The church has also organized community events like “Prayer at the Pump,” offering free gas cards along with prayer for families in need. These efforts reflect the church’s dedication to serving its community through various forms of outreach and support.

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