NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the wake of the tragic shooting at Antioch High School last month, members of the local community came together at Hamilton Church this weekend to assemble 2,000 snack packs for the students. The effort was led by the organizations Every Day Mama, Rise & Shine Tennessee, and Metro Councilmember Deonte Harrell, all of whom worked together to provide some comfort and stability for the students as they return to school.
The snack packs, filled with chips, muffins, water bottles, and other refreshments, are more than just food—they offer emotional support to those affected by the tragedy. According to LaBria Appleton, an advocacy coach for Metro Nashville Public Schools, something as simple as a snack can have a calming effect on students struggling to cope with trauma. Appleton emphasized that having enough food can help regulate the body and ease stress, which is crucial in the aftermath of a violent event.
“Food can help just reset that mind,” Appleton said. “With the recent tragedy at the high school, that cafeteria, or just that area, can still be just kind of an ‘uncertainty’ space, so being able to already have these snack bags available and ready to use, and maybe they can be in designated areas to where they don’t have to trace those same steps where that tragedy happened.”
The local community played a vital role in gathering the necessary supplies, with local bakeries donating unboxed chips and snacks, and volunteers contributing their time and resources to fill the snack packs. Nearly an entire box truck was filled with donations, ensuring the packs would be ready for distribution to Antioch High School students on Monday, Feb. 10.
“This is an example of the community showing up,” Appleton said. “We’ve had local businesses, like bakeries, provide food, and community members have donated both time and resources to help make over 2,000 snack bags. It’s a collective effort, and it’s incredible to see everyone come together to support these students.”
The snack packs will be available at designated areas around Antioch High School, providing students with something simple but significant to help them feel more at ease in the days ahead. With ongoing support from the community, the hope is that students will begin to feel a sense of comfort and normalcy, as they continue to heal from the devastating events.
In the face of tragedy, the outpouring of support from the Nashville community demonstrates the strength and resilience of the people who call the area home.
