The Mid South Food Bank's urgent plea for funding took center stage at the Shelby County FY2026 Budget Subcommittee Meeting on May 21, 2025. Interim CEO Scott Forten and Director of Government and Community Relations Reginald Alexander presented alarming statistics on food insecurity in the region, revealing that nearly 70% of food-insecure individuals in their service area reside in Shelby County.

Forten highlighted the stark reality: approximately 23,990 residents in Shelby County face food insecurity, with the food bank distributing nearly 15 million pounds of food in 2024 alone. However, recent cuts from the USDA threaten to drastically reduce their capacity to serve the community. The food bank anticipates a loss of over 2.2 million pounds of food, valued at nearly $4.8 million, due to funding cuts that have already begun to impact their operations.

The presentation underscored the food bank's reliance on federal programs, which have been slashed by more than $1 billion nationwide. As a result, the Mid South Food Bank is now forced to restructure its operations and reduce staff, having already cut its workforce from 89 to 70 employees. Forten emphasized the need for local fundraising efforts to fill the gap left by federal funding losses.

The food bank is seeking Shelby County's support to offset a projected shortfall of $845,000, which would help maintain their mobile pantry distribution and continue serving over 393,000 families. The urgency of their request reflects a growing crisis in food access, as the organization strives to ensure that no one in the community goes hungry. The outcome of this funding request could significantly impact the food bank's ability to operate at current levels and support the most vulnerable residents in Shelby County.