GraceWorks Launches Ambitious Campaign to Feed Every Hungry Child in Williamson County This Summer
GraceWorks Ministries, a Franklin-based nonprofit, launched a fundraising campaign on June 5 with the goal of ending summer hunger for Williamson County’s food insecure children.
The campaign, “Three Months, Zero School Meals: The Crisis You Don’t See,” will also raise awareness for the summer meal gap, a period when low-income students lose access to the free or reduced-price meals they rely on during the school year.
“More than 3,600 kids in Williamson County could spend this summer hungry,” said Alicia Bell, CEO of GraceWorks, “And this year’s crisis is extra urgent: Food bank donations are down across the board, and state and federal governments have slashed food program spending.1 GraceWorks is asking our community to do what it does best—step up and make sure every local kid has enough to eat this summer.”
According to a study from Deloitte and No Kid Hungry, nourishing summer meals reduce chronic disease, hospitalization rates, cognitive decline, and summer learning loss in students. They also increase reading and math proficiency and graduation rates.
“This is about more than just food,” said Bell, “It’s about potential. We want to make sure our local kids are set up for success. We also want to support low-income parents. Sixty-nine percent of them will have to choose between paying a utility bill or buying food this summer.2 That’s a heartbreaking situation. Luckily, at GraceWorks we can help with both their bills and food. Our goal is to bring them some relief, and right now we are focused on feeding those bellies.”
To promote the campaign, GraceWorks will send out mailers to almost 30,000 homes, as well as marketing digitally via email and social media throughout June and July. First-time donations will be matched by the George Shinn Foundation up to a total of $10,000. To donate, visit graceworkstn.org/endhunger.
About GraceWorks Ministries
Founded in 1995, GraceWorks Ministries provides immediate and long-term support to neighbors in need throughout Williamson County and Middle Tennessee. Through programs addressing food insecurity, shelter assistance and financial stability, GraceWorks embodies its vision of neighbors serving neighbors by the power of God’s grace.
Last year alone, GraceWorks provided 13,518 people with more than 1.5 million pounds of food, 1,074 people with utility assistance, and 1,235 people with rent and mortgage support. GraceWorks funds part of its operations through its Thrift Shop and Boutique, which won the 2025 Sizzle Awards Best Boutique and Best Merchant, and through events like the Turkey Trot, which won the 2025 Sizzle Award for Best Charity Event.
