NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Update: Thousands of Middle Tennessee families could soon lose access to food benefits if the federal government shutdown continues into November.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell joined officials at Second Harvest Food Bank to announce the launch of the “Hunger Can’t Wait” campaign. It is an emergency effort to increase food distribution and strengthen partnerships as federal SNAP funding is set to stall.

Second Harvest estimates that if SNAP benefits are delayed for the entire month of November, families across its 46 counties could lose access to 14.5 million meals total.

In Davidson County alone, that is equivalent to 3.6 million meals and about $13.2 million in lost local spending on food.

“This is an avoidable crisis caused by a lack of federal leadership,” O’C

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