The Well Outreach: All Hands on Deck to Address Food Insecurity in Maury County
Mount Pleasant, TN — At The Well Outreach, “All Hands on Deck” is more than a phrase; it is a daily commitment to neighbors in need. The Well Outreach operates as both a food pantry and food ministry, serving more than 23,000 families, over 100,000 individuals, annually across Maury and Williamson Counties. Supported by 24 staff members and around 400 dedicated volunteers, the organization operates two locations, in Spring Hill and Mt. Pleasant, that are designed to meet families where they are with dignity, efficiency, and care. In addition to its two permanent pantry locations, The Well Outreach extends its reach through JetPack distributions and Mobile Food Pantries, collectively serving thousands of additional families each year.
Members from The Well Outreach and South Central Tennessee Development District
In 2023, Maury County Government, under the leadership of Mayor Shelia Butt, was awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) to address food insecurity — representing a strategic investment in a growing community need. In partnership with the South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD), the grant was developed and administered to ensure funds were used effectively, responsibly, and in full compliance with program requirements.
The Well Outreach – Food Pantry Shelves
At the same time, The Well Outreach was facing a challenge common to successful organizations: growth. With its original Spring Hill facility operating beyond capacity, CEO Shelly Sassen and her leadership team conducted a thoughtful analysis of service patterns and community need. They discovered that a significant number of families were traveling from the Mt. Pleasant and Columbia area to access services. When a suitable building became available, the opportunity aligned perfectly with the organization’s long-term vision. The result was the addition of a 16,000-square-foot Mt. Pleasant location, expanding access while reducing barriers for families in southern Maury County.
The Well Outreach’s Food Pantry
This expansion was made possible through federal funding administered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The state’s investment addressed critical infrastructure needs that had previously limited growth, paving the way for sustainable, long-term impact. Today, this food pantry serves 1,200–1,300 neighbors each month in the Mt. Pleasant area alone, while moving approximately 200,000 pounds of food per month through its combined pantry operations.
Lisa Bell, Warehouse Team Lead
Walking through the doors of The Well Outreach, visitors are often struck by how different the experience feels. From the moment families arrive, they are met with honor, dignity, and hope. Check-in is simple and efficient, volunteers are available to provide support or prayer when requested, and the environment is welcoming rather than intimidating. The pantry itself resembles a neighborhood grocery store — clean, organized, and thoughtfully stocked. Each family shops with a cart, often assisted by a personal shopper, and leaves with $250–$300 worth of groceries. Eligible families may visit once per month, ensuring consistent access to nutritious food.
Behind the scenes, strong leadership and careful planning make this experience possible. According to Chief Operations Officer Joseph Knapp, distributing food at this scale requires both vision and the right tools.
CDBG funding supported essential infrastructure investments, including:
- Refrigerators and commercial freezers
- Hydroponic vegetable growing units
- A refrigerated box truck
- Material-handling equipment such as a forklift and pallet jacks
- Client-service furnishings and reception areas
Hydroponic Farming Tower
Among these investments are hydroponic farming towers, which support The Well Outreach’s commitment to providing fresh, nutritious food to the families they serve. These systems produce approximately 700 servings of fresh lettuce each month, helping ensure that guests, many of whom face barriers to accessing fresh produce, can take home healthy, nutrient-rich options.
One investment, in particular, has already delivered remarkable returns. “With CDBG funding, we were able to purchase a $90,000 refrigerated box truck,” Knapp shared. “In just one year, that truck increased our grocery rescue by 25 percent — an estimated 200,000 pounds of food saved that otherwise may have gone to waste. This includes perishable items like frozen chicken, bread, pastries, and fresh produce. This single investment by the State of Tennessee will continue to return value many times over.”
Joseph Knapp, Chief Operations Officer and Shelly Sassen, Chief Executive Officer
With critical infrastructure needs secured, The Well Outreach could turn its full attention back to what matters most: making the most of every resource entrusted to them. In 2025, the organization distributed nearly 2 million pounds of food, with just $200,000 spent on purchases and 1.8 million pounds rescued or procured at no cost, shared CEO Shelly Sassen. This model reflects thoughtful stewardship, operational efficiency, and deep respect for both donor support and public investment.
Mike Hartman, Warehouse Manager
Volunteers remain at the heart of this work. The Well Outreach offers team and group service opportunities for organizations looking to give back. The Spring Hill location has now served the community for 20 years, while the Mt. Pleasant location recently celebrated two years of operation — a milestone made possible through thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity in Maury County.
This project stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when local government leadership, state investment, and nonprofit expertise come together with a shared purpose: strengthening communities and ensuring that every neighbor has access to food, dignity, and hope.
To learn more about The Well Outreach, visit www.thewelloutreach.org
Get involved with your local food pantry!
Spring Hill – 5306 Main Street, Spring Hill, TN 37174
Mount Pleasant – 700 N Main Street, Mount Pleasant, TN 38474
Article written by Sydney Brewer, Marketing and Communications Director, South Central Tennessee Development District
Media Contact:
Sydney Brewer, Marketing and Communications Director
sbrewer@sctdd.org
