NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) -Gov. Bill Lee announced $5 million in emergency funding for food banks across Tennessee as demand increases at food pantries statewide.

St. Luke’s Community House, a food pantry partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank, has extended its hours due to increased demand.

The organization added an extra hour for food pickup on Tuesdays through Fridays and added evening food pickup on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“A couple of people who have been here recently shared that they are employed by the government,” said Amy Shurden, CEO of St. Luke’s Community House. “So they are not getting paid currently, and they are turning to the food pantry for the first time ever.”

Some visitors to the food pantry cited financial strain as their reason for seeking assistance.

“It

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