South Memphis Mother Faces Food Desert Challenges
A South Memphis mother, Angela Briggs, who relies on food stamps to feed her two children, is facing severe food insecurity after her benefits were unexpectedly cut off. Living in a food desert, Briggs struggles to find healthy and affordable food options.
Unexpected Termination of Benefits
Briggs was supposed to receive her food stamps but found her balance at zero without any prior notification from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS). She did not receive any letters, phone calls, or appointments informing her of the termination of her benefits.
Repeated Delays and Frustration
This incident marks the second time in a few months that Briggs has experienced delays in receiving her food stamps. Despite having her benefits reinstated previously, she is now once again without food stamps, causing her significant frustration and concern over how she will feed her two boys.
Limited Resources and Transportation Issues
Briggs, who resides in an area with limited grocery stores, lacks transportation to access food pantries, which also do not deliver to her location. This exacerbates her struggle to feed her children and manage her bills.
State Efforts and Call for Action
State officials had previously announced efforts to address these issues by engaging an outside vendor to help manage and respond to calls. However, the problem persists, leading Briggs to call for better case management and more effective solutions from DHS. The DHS has declined to comment on specific cases but encourages those facing issues to contact them directly.
