Dear Governor Lee,

We respectfully write to you to implore you to take immediate action to address the nutrition needs of Tennessee’s most vulnerable children. We write not merely as constituents, but as people of faith. We recognize and appreciate your public commitment to leading our state with a heart for the "least of these," and it is in this spirit of shared moral responsibility that we petition you to intervene for the 700,000 children in Tennessee whose health and future depend on your action.

As shepherds of our communities, we are guided by the mandate scripture gives us: to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" and to "defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8–9). We see daily that for the children among us, summer should be a time of Sabbath and play; instead, it has become a season of scarcity. Research over decades has shown that child hunger increases during school vacations when children lose access to school meals. Inadequate diet impacts their ability to focus and succeed when they return to school, with lifelong effects on their health and wellbeing. As people of faith, we are haunted by the realization that the trauma of chronic hunger hinders children from realizing their God-given potential.

In 2024, with strong bipartisan support, Congress made the Summer EBT program permanent, which provides low-income families $120 for each child to help provide a nutritious diet. We celebrate that the Volunteer State was a beacon of leadership as one of the first in our region to administer this program. Your administration’s work ensured that over 700,000 Tennessee children were fed, bringing $80 million in federal funds into our state’s economy. This was an act of true stewardship leveraging our resources to care for the vulnerable.

We view stewardship not merely as the management of state funds, but as the wise exercise of power and responsibility to achieve the greatest good. We see an opportunity for Tennessee to reclaim its role as a leader in child welfare by choosing the most effective path for our resources:

• The Federal Summer EBT Program: By investing roughly $5 million in administrative costs to participate in the federal program, Tennessee can unlock enough food to feed 700,000 children in all 95 counties.
• The State Program: In 2025, by spending $3 million state dollars instead of opting into the federal Summer EBT program, the state reached only 18,000 children in 15 counties.

Governor, we urge you to lead us away from historical patterns where resources exist but administrative barriers keep them from the poor. By returning to the federal Summer EBT program for 2026, you would be exercising a high form of stewardship using the tools of government to unlock a table that has already been set for those in need.

While our churches and food pantries remain committed to our neighbors, the hunger of 700,000 children requires a level of coordination that only the state can provide. This is a moment to emphasize public responsibility and robust systems of care. How a society treats its children is a moral reflection of our state’s overall health and a measure of our faithfulness to the charge we have been given.

We pray for you for wisdom, for discernment, and for a heart that remains moved by the needs of the vulnerable. We believe that your leadership in this matter can serve as a testament to the compassion of the One who said, "Let the little children come to me."

We respectfully urge you to notify federal officials of Tennessee's participation in the 2026 Summer EBT program, ensuring that no child in the Volunteer State suffers the trauma of hunger while the key to their relief is within our reach.

Thank you for considering our concerns, and for your service to all of the people of our state.

 

Pastor Lora Jean Gowan, United Methodist Church 

Co Pastor Stephanie Jenkins, In Christ Ministries Church, Inc.

Rev. Shelby Slowey, United Methodist Church 

Rev. Keller Hawkins, United Methodist Church 

Rev. Eric Mayle, Edgehill United Methodist Church

Rev. Laura B. Kigweba,United Methodist Church

Rev R Calvin Kimbrough Jr, United Methodist Church

Rev. Neelley Hicks, Glencliff United Methodist Church

Rev Stacey Harwell-Dye, United Methodist Church

Rev. Steph Dodge, Glendale United Methodist Church

Rev. Nelia J. Kimbrough, Retired, United Methodist Church

Reverend Amanda Crice, United Methodist Church

Pastor of Outreach Rebecca Gwynn-Dixon, United Methodist Church

Overseer Toni Jenkins, Non Denominational

Lead Pastor Stephen Handy, United Methodist Church

Rev Ingrid McIntyre, Glencliff United Methodist Church

Reverend Monica Mowdy, TN-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church

Reverend Margie Quinn, Vine Street Christian Church

Rev. Austin Becton, Episcopal

Rev. Rev. Chitwood, United Methodist Church

Senior Pastor Davis Chappell, Brentwood United Methodist Church

Rev. Dorothy Gager, United Church of Christ

Clergy/ Dr Reverend Jennifer Crenshaw, UCC/ Brookmeade Congregational Church

Pastor Robin Owen, ELCA

Faith Leader Paul Randall Dickerson, Ashland City United Methodist Church

Dr Thomas Fuerst, Memphis First United Methodist Church

Rev Deacon Jacilyn Goodwin, Anglican

Rev. Nicole Poland Nyembo, United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Talley, Sango United Methodist Church

Dean/Executive Director Rev. Cherisna Jean-Marie, Disciples of Christ

Reverend Ken Edwards, Belmont United Methodist Church

Senior Pastor John Hill, Crievewood United Methodist Church

Rev. Zach Moffatt, First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, TN

Pastor Paul Purdue, Belmont UMC Nashville

Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, United Methodist Church

Reverend Bob Coleman, The United Methodist Church

Board Chair Ashley Warbington, The ReMIX Way

Rev. Allison Bright, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Allison Gossett, Tennessee Western Kentucky United Methodist Church

Rev. Sarah McWhirt-Toler, United Methodist Church

Reverend Heather Harriss, Belmont UMC

Senior Pastor Carol Cavin-Dillon, West End United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Dr. Judy Cummings, Alameda Christian Church (DOC)

Rev. Daniel Lyvers, First Christian Church - Chattanooga

Rev. Sarah Reynolds, Episcopal

Rev. Dr. Andre Johnson, Gifts of Life Ministries

Rev. Madeleine Rebouche, The Episcopal Church

Pastor Rev. Ani Missirian-Wilson, Brentwood United Methodist Church

Youth Support Specialist Maria Haley, Immaculate conception

Senior Pastor Rev. Kelli X, The Village Church (CCDOC)

Rev. Brian Marcoulier, United Methodist Church (TWKUMC)

Pastor Terrance Davis, United Methodist Church

District Superintendent of the Harpeth River District Rev. BJ Brack, United Methodist Church

Rev Dr Omaràn Lee, NewWork Fellowship

Executive Director Dwight Johnson, Capacity Church

Rev Beatrix Weil, Evergreen Presbyterian Church Memphis

Reverend Ryan Bennett, United Methodist Church

Reverend Timothy Holton, The United Methodist Church

Ms Christine Fox, Seminary Student

Rev. Dr. Jefferson Furtado, The United Methodist Church

Rev. Amanda Westmoreland, United Methodist Church

Rev. Jim Robinson, United Methodist Church

Finance Chair William Howell, Edgehill United Methodist Church

Pastoral Assistant Donna Whitney, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church

Retired Pastor Paul Slentz, Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church

Reverend Joy Warren, Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)

The Reverend Sally Hughes, Presbyterian Church (usa)

Rev Dr Janet Wolf, United Methodist Church

Pastor Amelia Harkness, Belfast Presbyterian Church

Rev. James Cole, United Methodist Church

Pastor Jim Hughes, Brentwood United Methodist Church

Reverend Edward Thompson, African Methodist Episcopal Church

Lead Pastor Brandon Baxter, East End United Methodist Church

Rev. Bo Myers, United Methodist Church

Pastor Tammy Bryant, For His Glory Ministry

Chaplain Dahron Anneliese Johnson, United Church of Christ

Reverend Ryan Dunn, United Methodist Church

Rev Anne-Marie Zanzal, UCC

Senior Past Davie Tucker, Beech Creek Baptist Church

Co-Pastor Alisha Haddock, Christian Journey Fellowship Church

Reverend Ella Clay, Historic First Community Church

Rev Keri Cress, United Methodist Church

Rev./ retired elder Ann Cover, The United Methodist Church Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference

Reverend Caleb Haynes, Church of the Nazarene

Pastor Greg Bullard, Covenant of the Cross

Rev. Lindsey Krinks, Open Table Nashville

Pastor Don Terry, Pleasant View United Methodist Church

Reverend Kristin Clark-Banks, United Methodist

Elder Reginald Holder, Born Again Church

Reverend Emily JoAnn Haynes, Open Table Network

Rev. Dr. Lloyd Doyle, United Methodist Church

Reverend Laura McMasters, United Methodist Church

Pastor Kevin Marston, United Methodist Church

Dr Noel Hutchinson, Kingdom Fellowship Baptist Church

Associate Pastor Shelby Bowles, United Methodist

Pastor steven meriwether, Immanuel Baptist Church

Reverend Adam Kelchner, United Methodist Church

Lay member Davis Turner, West End United Methodist Church

Minister John Collett, United Methodist Church

Reverend Khette Cox, Alliance of Baptists

Pastor Rev. Dawn Bennett, Advent Lutheran Church

Mr Logan Pollock, Episcopal

Rev. Stephyen Sauls, United Methodist Church

CEO/Founder Brian Hicks, United Methodist Church

National Business Development Pride Institute Whitney Hendrick, Belle Meade UMC

Reverend Erin Racine, Calvary United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Deborah B. Smith, Metro District Superintendent Deborah Smith, The United Methodist Church

Pastor Niles Worsham, Centerville UMC/Shipp's Bend UMC Charge

Reverend Dietrich Kirk, Brentwood United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Paula Smith, United Methodist Church

Pastor Casey Orr, United Methodist Church

Executive Director Leslie Hotzfeld, Brentwood United Methodist Church

Reverend Cynthia McGowan, United Methodist Church

Ordained Elder in Full Connection Tory Shane Dillard, United Methodist Church

Pastor Keith Carlson, Hohenwald First United Methodist Church

Pastor Weslee Hill, Brentwood United Methodist Church

Reverend Doctor Amy Stoker, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Senior Pastor Brenda Bell-McAdams, United Methodist

Rev. Carrie Yoder, United Methodist Church

Rev. Shannon Baxter, West End United Methodist Church

Pastor Lisa Cook, Sacred Sparks Ministry

Lead Pastor Derrick DeLain, Proclamation Church

Clergy; Higher Education Administrator Kevin Reed, Church of the Nazarene

Intergenerational Pastor Kayla Smith, Church of the Nazarene

Ordained Elder Brendan Arnold, Church of the Nazarene

Pastor Travis Penney, United Methodist Church

Connector Robert Matheny, United Methodist Neighborhood Centers

Church member Elizabeth Ramage, Belmont United Methodist Church

The Rev. Jo Ann Barker, Episcopalian

Mr. Ashley Wiltshire, St Augustine’s Chapel

Reverend Joy Warren, Trinity Presbyterian Church PCUSA

Rector April Berends, Grace Episcopal Church

Rev. Laura Becker, Northminster Presbyterian Church (PC(USA))

Clerk Charles Jones, Quaker

Parishioner Heather Linke, St Tikhon’s Orthodox Mission

Rev. Brandon Berg, Norris and Sinking Springs United Methodist Churches

laymember Kris Rosolina, Hopwood Christian Church

Rev Gordon Myers, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Organizing Director Brian Zralek, NOAH

Reverend Candace Worth, New Hope Presbyterian Church (USA)

Pastor Jim Hughes, United Methodist Church

Bishop Minnie Mitchell, WALKING IN THE SPIRIT FELLOWSHIP

Reverend Martha Carroll, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Layperson Tim Webb, Word of Life

Pastor Rev. Dr. Lillian Lammers, First Presbyterian Church-Memphis

retired SS teacher Barbara Cloud, United United Methodist Church

Member Maggie Tate, Mission Chattanooga

Lead Pastor Josh Scott, GracePointe Church

Retired Attorney Wayne Robertson, Seay Hubbard United Methodist

Pastor Terryl James, Washington Hills UMC

Rev. Chaplain Kristy Robinson, One River

Rev. Jean Norton, United Church of Christ

Reverend Katharine Toledano, Pilgrim Congregational Church

Pastor Travis Meier, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Nashville

Rev. Fred C. Morton, united methodist church TWK Annual Conference

Rev. Dr. Don Jones, United Methodist Church

Attendant Mike Scarbrough, Cokesbury United Methodist

Missions Committee Chair and Commissioned Ruling Elder Candidate Greta McClain, Southminster Presbyterian Church Nashville

Active church member Melissa Eckert, Belmont United Methodist Church

Reverend Betty Proctor, United Methodist Church

Chair Monica Mowdy, Church &Society, TN-Western KY Conference of the UMC

Pastor Brenda Bell-McAdams, United Methodist Church

Pastor Carlos Uroza, United Methodist Church

Rev. Lori Tharp, Church of the Nazarene

Reverend Lucinda Sharp, United Methodist Church

Hospice Chaplain / Pastor Andy Ingram, Nazarene

Worship Pastor Stephen Tharp, Bell Road Church of the Nazarene

Pastor Barbara Allen, Community Fellowship Church of the Nazarene

Pastor Jonathan Nash, Midtown Fellowship

Rev. Brandon Brown, Church of the Nazarene

Pastor Thomas Crummer, The Table: A church of the Nazarene

Rev. Beverly Ross, Brookmeade United Church of Christ

Campus Minister Hunter Wade, Belmont Wesley Fellowship

Pastor of Young Adults Rev. Aimee Baxter, West End UMC

Pastor Richard Griffin, Lighthouse United Methodist Church

Cabinet Innovation Partner & Associate Pastor Angela Harris, Columbia First UMC

Member Ashlee Carter, IMF

Lead Pastor Matt Hastings, Church of the Nazarene

Member Sandra Putnam - Broadway, Temple Church

Pastor Enoch E Fuzz, Corinthian Baptist

Lead Pastor Derek Hunter, Restoration Church of the Nazarene

Principle Barney Zeng, Catholic

Senior Pastor LaShante Walker, Howard Congregational UCC

Rev. David Gerth, United Church of Christ

Pastor David Hill, Greenwood UMC and Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church

Rev. John Melick, United Methodist Church

Bishop Anthony Alfred, Family of Faith Worship Center

Pastor Ronnie T Mitchell, New Livingstone Church

Rev. Sarah Carty, Franklin First UMC

Reverend Rev. Roberta Martin, UMC

Lead Pastor Tyler Tibbs, Church of the Nazarene

Citizen Denise Bentley, Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal

Pastor LINDA SMITH, Martin Chapel United Methodist Church

Rev Darren Mayberry Wright, Connection UMC

Producer Daniel J Rauso, Non Denominational

Lead Pastor Gordon Jones, Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Reverend Mary Kate Myers, Hilldale United Methodist Church

Pastor Meredith Pace, Neighborhood Church

Choir Director LaTonya Henry, First Calvary Baptist Church

Rev. Kelly Coffelt, Episcopal

VP for Faith-Based Engagement & Church Relations Todd Lake, Brentwood UMC

Ms Jessie Bailey, Grace episcopal

Pastor Matt McGue, One Church

Pastor Rose Taylor, United Methodist Church

Ordained Elder Ashley Bauer, Church of the Nazarene

Rev Jeremiah Bauer, Church of the Nazarene

Chaplain Brian Goodwin, Anglican

Rev. Luke Lea, Emmanuel UMC

Associate Pastor Jonathan Andersen, Brentwood UMC

Administrative Assistant Karen Swint, Overcoming Believers Church

CALEB Faith Caucus Leader Christopher Heintz, Episcopal

Supply Pastor Anna Azbill, UMC

Licenced Local Pastor Catherine Thomas, Pickwick Pisgah UMC Charge

Reverend Deborah Owens, United Methodist Church 

Pastor George Brooks, St. James Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Shawna Songer Gaines, Church of the Nazarene

senior Minister Kyeong Jung kim, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Associate Pastor Stephanie Boaz, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nashville

Interfaith Chaplain Meg Wade, Larkspur Conservation

Rev. Donovan Drake, Presbyterian

Reverend Ashley Higgins, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Rev. Will Wellman, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Senior Minister Dr. Joshua Graves, Otter Creek Church

Rev Jedediah Hanes, United Methodist Church

Christian Rubel Shelly, Christian

Mr. Lee Hogan, Chattanooga Friends Meeting - The Quakers

Elder Janice Gooden, Renaissance Presbyterian Church

Deacon Casey Perkins, The Episcopal Church - Diocese of East Tennessee

Congregant Abbie Powell, Episcopal

Rev. Dr. Will Lauderback, UMC Pastor

Associate Rector Rev. Zachary Settle, Grace Episcopal Chattanooga

lay member Jonathon Wurth, Episcopal Church

Rev. Anna Golladay, United Methodist Church

Senior Pastor Kimi Brown, Shady Grove and St John United Methodist

Minister of Environmental Justice Caroline Archer, First-Centenary UMC

Rev. Leah Burns, United Methodist

Pastor Derrick Hammond, Oak Valley Baptist Church

Retired Administrator Gary James, Washington Hills UMC

Associate Pastor Joshua Jackson, Church of Christ

MA Gabrielle Eilf, Grace Episcopal Church

Pastor Gary Atwater, UMC

Mrs Betty Williams, New Zion Baptist

Reverend Sharon Bowers, United Methodist

Lay Leader Anna Dirl Dirl, Lennon-Seney United Methodist Church

Deacon The Rev Ann Weeks, The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

Rev. Harriet Bryan, United Methodist

Rev. Dr. Angela Hardy Cross, The United Methodist Church

Rev. Walter Cross, The United Methodist Church

Co-Lead Pastor Clair Sauer, First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge

None leo arnoult, St. Peter Catholic Church

Reverend Elizabeth Richardson, United Methodist

Retired Pastor Stella Roberts, United Methodist

Senior Pastor Pamela Kellar, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

Ms. Christina Norris, Edgehill United Methodist Church 

Pastor RICK ROBERTS, St. John's Lutheran Church

Rev R Calvin Kimbrough Jr, UMC

Rev. Dr. Michael Lippard, Lutheran (member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, ELCA, Franklin

Rev. Gretchen Person, ELCA

Rev. William Vaughan III, United Methodist Church

Reverend Candace Worth, New Hope Presbyterian Chattanooga

Reverend Martha Carroll, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

The Rev. Liza Hawkins, Lutheran (ELCA)

Rev. Steph Dodge, Glendale United Methodist Church

Director Ron Lowe, Every Valley Leadership Academy

Tennessee voter & concerned citizen Susan Utley, Belmont United Methodist Church

Reverend Bob Coleman, United Methodist Church

Rev. Susan Hudson McBride, The Unchurched

The Rev George Tuttle, Peace Lutheran Church. Spring Hill, TN

Pastor David Hood, Lutheran (ELCA)

Rev. Allison Bright, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Samantha McGlothlin, Belle Meade United Methodist Church

Pastor Travis Meier, First Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA)

Associate Pastor Aimee Baxter, West End UMC

cj pitman carol pitman, Belmont, umm

Rev Nelia Kimbrough, UMC

Rev Betty Proctor, UMC

Rev. Ann Cover, Retired United Methodist Elder

The Reverend Julian Gordy, ELCA

Pastor Melody Winderweedle, Ekklesia Christian Fellowship

Associate Pastor Wesley King, Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Erin Racine, Calvary United Methodist Church

Clergy Jedediah Hanes, TWK UMC

Rev. Dr. Will Lauderback, United Methodist Clergy.

Retired Leo Arnoult, St. Peter Catholic Church

Rev. Bob Cantrell, United Methodist

Elder LaShica Thomas, In Christ Ministries

Clergy, The United Methodist Church Lee Ramsey, St John’s UMC, Memphis

Pastor David Horne, United Methodist

Rev. Todd Wilson, UMC

Professor Keenan Dungey, Grace Episcopal Church

Reverend Tondala Hayward, United Methodist Church

member Lauren Peterson, Episcopal

Preaching Minister Jason Pagel, Harpeth Hills Church of Christ

Minister/Pastor Dr. Carol Price-Guthrie, Haven Chapel UMC

Rev. Tony Coleman, First Congregational Church of Memphis

Senior Pastor Shane B Scott, First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill

Ms. Kellie Warwick, Protestant

Pastor Dakota Norris, 5th Avenue Uniting Church

Rev. Dr. Rev. Dr. Charlotte Williams, Holston Conference BMCR

Director of Missions Michael Feely, United Methodist

Outreach Pastor Z Zaldivar, East End UMC

Rev. Dr. Gilbert Roth, St. Timothy Lutheran Church

Micah Catalyst Maria Haley, Church of the River

Church Leader Keith Cole, Presbyterian (USA)

Rev. Catherine A. Crimi, Christ Lutheran Church

Rev. Kristofer Roof, Peace Tree United Methodist Church

Mr. James Gentry, Lay Member Taylor Street Church of Christ

Alisa Mueller, LAY PERSON UNITED METHODIST