According to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, 2,681 households totaling 5,308 individuals in Tipton County received SNAP benefits in April 2026. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that more than 41 million Americans depend on SNAP.
Local impact
As of April 2026, about 8.5 percent of Tipton County’s population receives food assistance each month, which is approximately $1.1 million in monthly food-purchasing power.
More than 1,000 Tipton Countians lost their SNAP funding from April 2025 to April 2026.Without that funding, local grocery stores, small markets and farmers’ markets could experience a loss in sales. The lapse could mean heightened demand for community assistance and changes in household spending at local stores.
Food insecurity in Tipton County is currently 14.5% percent. That rate could rise sharply due to the pause in benefits, increasing demand for food assistance through churches and charitable organizations.
Food assistance in Tipton County
Following is a list of food banks and programs serving Tipton Countians. They are organized by distribution schedule.
Daily Distribution
Daily · Mon–Fri
Tipton County Schools — Summer Food Service Program
📅 June 1 – July 24, 2026 (end dates vary by site)
🕘 Breakfast 7:30–8:30 a.m. | Lunch 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (times vary by site)
📍 Multiple sites countywide (see below)
📞 (901) 475-5982 — Lisa Bradford
Meals are served on-site only — children eat together at each location (congregate dining). For children 18 and under. No registration required.
Open June 1 – July 24: Atoka Elementary, Covington Middle, Covington High, Boys & Girls Club, Brighton Elementary, Brighton High, Drummonds Elementary, Austin Peay Elementary, Munford Elementary, Munford High, Covington Elementary, Munford Methodist Preschool, Making Memories Christian Childcare
Open June 1 – June 26: Charger Academy, Brighton Middle, Munford Middle
Alternative Learning Center: June 1–7 and July 27–31 only
Daily · Mon–Fri
Hunger Stop Café — Mobile Summer Feeding Bus
📅 June 1 – July 24, 2026
🚌 Tipton County Schools’ mobile feeding bus — brings free lunches to children in apartments and neighborhoods
🍽️ Lunch only — meals must be eaten on-site
Sunrise Apartments · 10–10:20 a.m.
Broadmeadows · 10:35–10:55 a.m.
Smithville Trailer Park · 11:05–11:25 a.m.
Jackson St. Apartments · 11:45 a.m.–12:05 p.m.
Richland Hills · 1–1:20 p.m.Free for all children 18 and under. No registration required.
Weekly Distribution
Mon · Wed · Fri
📍 412 Alston St., Covington, TN 38019
🕘 Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Mondays
First Presbyterian Church — Covington
📍 403 S. Main St., Covington, TN 38019
🕓 Mondays, 4–5 p.m.
Tuesdays
St. Alphonsus Church / Catholic Charities Tipton
📍 1225 Hwy 51 South, Covington, TN 38019
🕘 Tuesdays, 9–11 a.m.
Tuesdays · June Only
The Rock Church — Free Summer Food Boxes
In partnership with Convoy of Hope
📍 Covington Middle School, 235 Mark A. Walker Blvd., Covington
🕐 Every Tuesday in June, 1-3 p.m. (while supplies last)
🚗 Drive-up pickup — pull up and they’ll load your box
Wednesdays
YMCA Summer Food Program — Serving Up Smiles
YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
📍 St. Luke Family Life Center, 632 St. Luke Rd., Covington, TN 38019
🕘 Wednesdays, 9–11:30 a.m.
📅 May 27 – Aug. 1, 2026
Monthly Distribution
1st & 3rd Sat
Bread of Life Food Pantry — Covington FUMC
📍 145 West Church St., Covington, TN 38019
🕘 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9–11 a.m.
2nd & 4th Sat
Bread of Life Food Pantry — Munford FUMC
📍 57 Tipton St., Munford, TN 38058
🕘 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 9–11 a.m.
4th Sat
📍 1253 Munford Ave., Munford, TN 38058
🕘 4th Saturdays
4th Sat
Agape Spirit of Truth Missionary Outreach Church
📍 186 Front St., Mason, TN 38049
📱 Text (901) 355-4786
🕘 4th Saturdays, 9–11 a.m.
Other Resources
Contact for hours
By appointment
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
If changes need to be made to this list, please email echo@paperfoldsnews.com.