One Generation Away: Fighting Hunger in Franklin and Beyond
In Franklin, Tennessee, a local organization has turned compassion into action, fighting food insecurity with efficiency, empathy, and heart. Founded by Chris and Elaine Whitney in 2013, One Generation Away, known to many as OneGenAway, has grown from small community food drives into a regional leader working to end hunger across Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.
A Different Kind of Food Pantry
What makes One Generation Away unique is its model of collecting and redistributing food. Instead of purchasing food, the nonprofit partners with grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, and farms to collect high-quality surplus food that might otherwise go to waste. Each week, thousands of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples are saved from landfills and delivered to families in need.
From the beginning, the Whitneys understood that hunger is not only a matter of empty plates, but also a matter of access, equity, and dignity. Their work is guided by the belief that food should be shared freely, with no questions asked and no paperwork required. Every person who comes through their food line is treated as a neighbor, not a number.
This belief forms the heart of OneGenAway’s vision: to wipe hunger off the face of America by teaching people to love one another through service.
From Local Beginnings to Regional Impact
What began as one truck and a handful of volunteers has grown into a regional effort serving thousands of families each year. In its first full year in 2014, OneGenAway distributed over 150,700 meals. By 2018, that number had increased to 1.3 million, and by 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the organization provided 4.3 million meals.
That growth led to the creation of additional distribution hubs in Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, and Florida’s Panhandle, where local volunteers, grocers, and community organizations help ensure food reaches families. Expanding beyond Franklin has strengthened OneGenAway’s ability to respond to both everyday needs and large-scale emergencies, improving food security across the Southeast.
Feeding Communities and Restoring Hope
One Generation Away reaches communities in many ways. Through mobile food pantries, home deliveries, and disaster-relief efforts, the organization meets people where they are, offering practical support and a reminder that no one should face hunger alone.
Mobile Food Pantries
OneGenAway’s mobile pantries are the most visible part of its mission. These food distributions take place throughout the region, turning parking lots into pop-up grocery stores where volunteers load boxes of quality food directly into car trunks with no paperwork required.
If you or someone you know needs food, there is no registration required. Simply drive to the listed location and line up for drive-through pickup. Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out.
For dates and locations of upcoming mobile food pantries, visit the OneGenAway Mobile Pantry Calendar.
The Doorstep Pantry
For individuals who can’t attend a mobile pantry, especially seniors or those without transportation, OneGenAway created the Doorstep Pantry, a home delivery program that brings groceries directly to those who need them. This initiative extends the organization’s reach into homes where hunger can easily be hidden.
Learn more or request a delivery through the Doorstep Pantry Page.
Disaster Relief
When natural disasters strike, OneGenAway’s trucks and volunteers are often among the first to respond. From tornado recovery in Middle Tennessee to hurricane relief on the Gulf Coast, the team mobilizes quickly to deliver food to affected areas. Their experience in logistics and large-scale distribution makes them uniquely equipped to provide relief during crises. Their disaster-relief work extends beyond the immediate aftermath as they continue to serve areas as they rebuild, often long after media attention fades.
To learn more about OneGenAway’s disaster-relief efforts, visit the Disaster Relief page.
How to Support One Generation Away’s Mission
At the heart of One Generation Away’s work is a community that shows up. Volunteers, partners, and donors come together with a shared goal: to reduce food waste, strengthen local networks, and make sure no one goes hungry. Every meal distributed and every truck on the road begins with someone choosing to take part.
Volunteer
There is a place for everyone to serve with One Generation Away. Volunteers help organize and distribute food at mobile pantries or assist with weekday projects at the Franklin warehouse. Individuals, families, and groups are all welcome to participate. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit the OneGenAway Volunteer Page.
Donate
Every dollar makes a difference. Donations help cover the cost of trucks, fuel, storage, and the rescued food that fills each pantry event. You can give a one-time or recurring gift online or mail a donation. One Generation Away also participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), allowing federal employees to support the mission through workplace giving.
One Generation Away also accepts food donations. Smaller donations that fit inside a standard SUV can be dropped off during regular operating hours, while larger donations or those requiring pickup can be coordinated through OneGenAway’s operations team. To learn more about financial giving or in-kind donations, visit the OneGenAway Donation Page.
Partner or Sponsor
Partnerships and sponsorships play a vital role in OneGenAway’s mission. Local businesses, restaurants, and farms can donate surplus food, sponsor mobile pantries, and support large-scale food distributions, helping reduce waste and ensure that fresh food reaches households in need.
Churches, schools, and civic groups can also make an impact by hosting pantry events, organizing volunteers, or raising funds to extend OneGenAway’s reach. Corporate partners can provide financial support, logistics expertise, and employee volunteer programs that keep operations running efficiently.
Sponsorships offer another way to make a difference. Funding a truck, sponsoring a pantry, or supporting disaster relief can help provide thousands of meals to families across the region.
For donation, partnership, or sponsorship inquiries, contact Scott Lucas, Director of Operations, at scott@onegenaway.com, or Cynthia Stielow at cynthia@onegenaway.com. You can also learn more on the OneGenAway Sponsorship Information Page.
Spread the Word
Raising awareness is one of the simplest ways to support One Generation Away. By sharing their mission and events online, you can help more neighbors find resources and inspire others to get involved. Follow OneGenAway on social media to stay informed about volunteer opportunities, upcoming mobile pantry locations, and community partnerships that make an impact.
Every post, tag, and share helps extend the reach of OneGenAway’s work, connecting more people to food, hope, and community. Stay connected and spread the word by following OneGenAway on Instagram and Facebook.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Food Assistance
Even with tremendous progress, OneGenAway faces the ongoing challenge of balancing growth with logistics. Food rescue requires trucks, refrigeration, warehouse space, and reliable volunteer support. As demand increases across multiple states, so does the need for funding and infrastructure.
Looking ahead, OneGenAway is focused on building the resources needed to sustain and expand its impact. The organization continues to explore ways to strengthen its infrastructure, such as increasing warehouse capacity, adding new trucks, and improving cold storage to preserve the freshness of rescued food. The organization is also working to strengthen its volunteer base and build new partnerships with schools, farms, and corporate sponsors throughout the Southeast. These efforts will help ensure that food continues to move efficiently from donors to families, especially in times of crisis.
Sustainability remains central to OneGenAway’s mission. Every pound of food the organization rescues helps reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, creating both social and environmental benefits. By improving logistics and exploring new tools for tracking and distribution, OneGenAway continues to make sure rescued food reaches families efficiently and with minimal waste.
Through it all, One Generation Away remains true to its founding principle: serving people with compassion and respect.
Ending Food Insecurity in Franklin, Williamson County, and Beyond
Though One Generation Away now operates across multiple states, its heart remains in Franklin. The organization’s story reflects the city’s spirit: community-driven, service-oriented, and ready to step up when neighbors are in need.
Even in prosperous areas like Williamson County, food insecurity remains a challenge for many families. Rising living costs, medical expenses, and housing pressures can make it difficult for some residents to put healthy meals on the table. OneGenAway’s mobile food pantries in Franklin, TN, along with its regional partnerships, help bridge that gap, providing access to nutritious food for those who might otherwise go without.
As the organization expands its reach, its purpose remains clear: to share hope, honor, and care through food, and to remind every person served that they are seen, supported, and valued.
To learn more about their mission, or to volunteer, donate, or partner, visit OneGenAway.
Related Reading: Local Organizations Strengthening Williamson County
Looking to learn more about community service and local impact? Explore other stories that highlight organizations making a difference across Williamson County.
GraceWorks Ministries: Neighbor Serving Neighbor in Williamson County, TN shares how GraceWorks provides food, financial aid, and care to families in need.
In Rooted in Love: 3 Incredible Williamson County Organizations that Support Women in Need, discover local nonprofits empowering women and families.
Better Together: Ways to Serve Williamson County in 2025 offers practical ways to volunteer and give back throughout the community.
