Our stories
Welcome to the "Stories of Hope" page for Music City Mouths 2 Feed. Here, you'll find personal experiences from families and sponsors within our Nashville community. Our unique selling point is our community-based approach to matching families in need with sponsors during tough times. Prepare to feel profound joy as you read these stories of resilience and support. We hope these stories resonate with potential sponsors and families that need a helping hand and some hope. These stories are here to attract new sponsors and raise brand awareness for Music City Mouths 2 Feed.
Hi, I’m Skyler Wilson! Originally from Memphis, TN, I now live in Brighton, TN with my fiancé and our five daughters, who are ages 10, 9, 8, 4, and 1.
Our 4-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia on March 9, 2025. She has weekly appointments, and while the hospital assists with gas expenses, it’s still not enough to cover everything. She is currently undergoing treatment, which includes periodic rounds of steroids that last for several weeks at a time. The steroids significantly increase her appetite, and with five growing girls, keeping up with groceries and other necessities is a real challenge. We’re doing our best, but this year has been particularly difficult. We’ve struggled to provide warm clothing for the kids, and with the ongoing government shutdown, I’m not sure we’ll be able to afford Thanksgiving. Asking for help isn’t easy for me, but I’ll do whatever it takes for my children. Thank you so much for your kindness, and may God bless you.
- Skyler (Family 24)
I am a single mother of six children, and my life has taken an unexpected turn in recent months. I was previously employed at Vanderbilt Hospital, but after suffering two heart attacks, my doctors determined that I needed a SADI procedure. I underwent the surgery on July 31, but unfortunately, my health began to decline rapidly afterward, leaving me extremely ill. As a result of my health issues, I have been unable to return to work, which caused me to lose my job and fall behind financially. I have no support system—my mother and grandparents have passed away, and in August 2023, I had to flee to a new location due to domestic violence. I am truly on my own, yet I am determined to keep pushing forward for the sake of my children. I have documentation to support everything I’m sharing. I don’t want to lose my children—they rely on me completely. I’ve worked so hard to provide for them, to maintain our home, and to keep my truck, which has been essential to supporting our lives. Despite my illness, I try every day to keep going, but lately, I keep falling short. Even before this, I was struggling. I wasn’t receiving food assistance because my income of $19.82 an hour at Vanderbilt was deemed “too much,” though in reality, it was barely enough to stay afloat. I overworked myself just to make ends meet—it’s not that I wasn’t trying. I was, and I still am. Right now, I just need a breakthrough.
- Sherrell (Family 21)
What It Means to Be a Sponsor for Music City Mouths 2 Feed
"Becoming a sponsor for Music City Mouths 2 Feed means joining a mission dedicated to fighting hunger and making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families in need. Your support helps us provide essential meals, resources, and hope to those who might otherwise go without. Sponsorship not only directly contributes to the nourishment of our community but also showcases your organization’s commitment to social responsibility. Whether you’re a local business or a larger corporation, partnering with us as a sponsor amplifies your impact, aligns your brand with a cause that matters, and creates lasting positive change. Together, we can ensure that no mouth goes hungry in Music City."
- Anonymous Sponsor of Family 6
My name is Michelle, and I am a 51-year-old single mom to an incredible teenage son. I want to share a bit of my journey with you. I am a proud Veteran of the United States Navy and a recovering addict. I’ve been clean and sober for 17 years. But my story has been far from easy. In 2007, at the height of my addiction, I lost everything. I had nothing left. By 2009, I turned my life around—I welcomed my son into the world, got a house, found a job, and worked hard to rebuild. Life was good, stable, and I was doing everything “right.” Fast forward to 2021—things took a turn. I started feeling unwell and struggled to breathe. But like so many, without insurance, I put my health on the back burner. In 2022, everything came crashing down. I suffered a massive heart attack and had to undergo heart surgery. I was in and out of the hospital for months, unable to work and dependent on 5 liters of oxygen to live. During that time, I lost everything again. My son, trying to be strong, was deeply affected. We had no support. I ended up homeless, living in my car with my son, and facing unimaginable challenges. I had to plug my oxygen machine into gas station outlets at night just to stay alive. I eventually made the heartbreaking decision to send my son to live with his grandmother while I tried to figure out our next steps. But I wasn't alone—I had God. Back in 2007, when I first got clean, I found Him, and that faith carried me through. In eight months, with the help of the VA, I secured housing. Life began to stabilize. My son and I were reunited, and for the first time in a long while, we felt safe. Stability returned, and so did hope. I still live with congestive heart failure and rely on oxygen daily, but we are grateful for the life we have now. We remind ourselves that "this too shall pass." I’m sharing this because I want you to understand how fragile stability can be. I rely on a monthly disability check to make ends meet, and when we lose food assistance like SNAP benefits, it threatens the progress we’ve made. Without a working car, accessing food pantries is incredibly difficult. It’s a constant source of worry—not for myself, but for my son. He tries so hard to be understanding, but how much more should he have to endure? This isn’t the life I wanted for him. No child should grow up with so much uncertainty. I carry a lot of guilt and have moments when I feel like I’m failing as a mom. But despite everything, I wouldn’t trade the relationship my son and I share for anything. We just need a little help right now. I hope that someone reading this feels moved by our story and, through God’s grace, chooses to lend a hand. Thank you for taking the time to listen.
Hello, my name is Latoya. I am a single mother of nine children and the sole provider for my household. As a recipient of SNAP EBT benefits, I rely on them each month to ensure my family has enough to eat. Unfortunately, due to the government shutdown, those benefits have been put on hold. To make matters more challenging, I recently lost my job. While I am actively seeking employment, I am in urgent need of assistance to provide food and essential household items for my children during this difficult time. Any help or resources would be greatly appreciated.
- Latoya (Family 25)
Ready to make a difference?
Become a sponsor or get the help you need. Join the Music City Mouths 2 Feed community today!