The City of Memphis is supporting the residents who were hit the hardest by this weekend's severe storm and subsequent power outages with money for food assistance.
Through Memphis Cares, a community fund to help families facing food insecurity, the city is making up to $100,000 available to households with the highest need to help replenish groceries after extended periods of no power. The program is a partnership between United Way of the Mid-South, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, the Memphis City Council and Mayor Paul Young's administration.
Beginning Aug. 31, residents who experienced more than 24 hours of no electricity can call 844-444-4211 to talk to the Memphis Cares team and receive more information on funding distribution.
This comes as Memphis Light, Gas and Water leadership tells customers still without electricity that it could be several days before power is restored. MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said he expects "the vast majority" of customers to have their power back by the evening of Aug. 27, but complex outages will take more time to repair.
We’re working with @memphiscitycouncil to provide up to $100,000 to help our residents. pic.twitter.com/Prca3ice49
— Paul Young (@mayorpaulyoung) August 25, 2026
Community members can contribute to the food assistance fund by going to United Way's website.
An estimated 20,000 MLGW customers were still without power as of 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, according to the utility company's outage map.
Annie Goldman covers government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at annie.goldman@commercialappeal.com or 901-930-7431.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis to give out money for groceries after extended power outages
