NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Taylin Lewan, wife of Tennessee Titan's player Taylor Lewan and Hayley Hubbard, wife of Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, have teamed up during the pandemic to start Feeding Nashville.
Feeding Nashville is a nonprofit aimed at putting local chefs and restaurant employees back to work while feeding hungry families. Hubbard and Lewan started the foundation after Nashville was hit by the tornado and COVID-19.
"We thought let's keep people as successful as we can and then help the ones who aren't in control right now," said Taylin Lewan.
Lewan and Hubbard are working with Chris Polley, Executive Chef of True Food Kitchen, and Ryan Reisdorf, Founder of Placemat to make healthy meals for people who are struggling because of the tornado or virus.
With $236,721 already raised, Lewan and Hubbard have been able to provide 180 free meals a day to families and health care workers at St. Thomas and Vanderbilt hospitals. They have hand-delivered meals to the hospitals.
"We're just so grateful for everything they're doing," Hayley Hubbard said. "It's just one little thing we can help contribute."
Hubbard and Lewan were moved to act after seeing the widespread effects of COVID-19, including job loses.
"It doesn't just affect some people, it affects everybody," Hubbard said.
With their families, they are hopeful Nashvillians will also donate to Feeding Nashville so meals can continue to be provided.
"Taylin talks all the time about if she had $5 in her pocket she would give three or four away," Taylor Lewan said. "We're in a very cool and lucky position to be able to be where we are to just help in anyway possible."
"It's been challenging but Hayley and Taylin have both rose to the occasion and it's been really cool and really inspiring," Tyler Hubbard said.
The founders of Feeding Nashville would like to feed 100 families a day for at least two months.
"What we're learning through the organizations we're partnering up with is people need food even after this. We have no idea what our future is going to look like, but right now in this moment we are just counting our blessing," said Taylin Lewan.
So far, notable donors include Tennessee Titans' quarterback Ryan Tannehill and wife Lauren, Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins, Scott Borchetta and wife Sandi, Shane and Michael McAnally Baum, Amy Brown, Nashville Predators' Roman Josi and wife Ellie, and Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and wife Brittney.
If your family needs a free meal or you would like to help Feeding Nashville click here.
