According to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, 3,103 households totaling 6,324 individuals in Tipton County received SNAP benefits in September 2025. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that more than 41 million Americans depend on SNAP.
Local impact
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 access to SNAP funding between April 2025 and April 2026 due to changes in requirements as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. This is an estimated $202,010 loss each month,
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.
Tipton County food assistance resources
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 · 10:00–10:20 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 · 1:00–1:20 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
Tuesdays
St. Alphonsus Church / Catholic Charities Tipton
📍 1225 Hwy 51 South, Covington, TN 38019
🕘 Tuesdays, 9–11 a.m.
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
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐏
Eligibility for SNAP in Tennessee is based on income, assets and household size, and applicants must meet both federal and state requirements.
- Applicants must be Tennessee residents and U.S. citizens or qualified noncitizens.
- Household income must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty line (about $2,700 per month for a two-person household).
- Assets, such as bank accounts, must be below $2,750, or $4,250 if a member of the household is elderly or disabled.
- Able-bodied adults without dependents ages 18–64 must work, volunteer or attend training for at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible beyond three months.
Exemptions apply for those who are pregnant, have a disability, are 65 or older, live with a child under 14, are in school at least half-time or are in treatment for substance use.
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