Knoxville Council approves $100,000 emergency grant to United Way to plug SNAP gap

The Knoxville City Council on Nov. 11 approved an emergency ordinance to transfer $100,000 from the city's unassigned general fund balance to United Way of Greater Knoxville, which will distribute the money to city‑based food providers responding to an immediate SNAP benefits suspension.

Mayor (unnamed) said the supplement was added to the agenda as an emergency so the city could help local pantries that are already depleted. Rob Patrick, executive director of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation, told the council that his food pantry was serving about 400 clients who were losing SNAP benefits and that demand had risen 20–40% week over week in recent weeks. "I came into the pantry and a client was in tears — she had nothing for her family to eat tonight," Patrick said.

Danielle Sims, COO of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation, said the pantry saw a 62% increase in food‑pantry visits in November and that supplies of fresh proteins and other staples were running short. Portia Pickett, executive director of Wesley House Community Center, told council Wesley House had seen a 56% increase in families seeking emergency food assistance over the past 90 days and that monthly distributions jumped from about 8,000 pounds of food to nearly 14,000 pounds in October.

United Way representatives said the organization will require recipient organizations to be located inside city limits and that the application process is designed to prioritize community‑based food providers. "We expect to close the application process and distribute funds within 7–10 days," a United Way official said, adding that the city's $100,000 is expected to be matched by private donations.

Councilmembers voiced broad support for the emergency measure, noting that federal benefit suspensions create immediate local need and that city funds can only partially bridge gaps. Council member Singh asked how recipients would be verified as serving city residents; United Way responded that partnership agreements will include location and reporting requirements and the group will provide reports back to the city on use of funds and populations served.

The ordinance passed unanimously on emergency vote. City staff and United Way said they will return to council with reports on distribution and outcomes.