Nashville Mom Finds Unexpected Solution for Daily Needs and Family Time

Shopping cart in aisle of grocery store.

Nashville mother of six faces uncertainty as Family Dollar stores close, impacting daily essentials and family bonding.

At a Glance

Dollar Tree’s Family Dollar is closing nearly 1,000 out of 8,200 stores
Closures affect low-income areas, worsening food access issues
SNAP cuts and high inflation linked to closures, impacting grocery access
Latrina Begley, a Nashville mother of six, faces limited, expensive food options

Family Dollar Closures Hit Hard for Low-Income Families

Dollar Tree’s recent decision to shutter nearly 1,000 Family Dollar stores out of its 8,200 locations is sending shockwaves through low-income communities across America. The move, aimed at boosting profits, is having unintended consequences for families who rely on these stores for affordable essentials. Latrina Begley, a Nashville mother of six, is among those feeling the pinch as her local Family Dollar faces potential closure.

The closures are disproportionately affecting low-income areas, exacerbating existing food access issues. For many families like the Begleys, Family Dollar stores serve as a lifeline for essential shopping trips, offering convenience and affordability in neighborhoods often overlooked by larger retailers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified Begley’s neighborhood as a low-income area with limited access to healthy, affordable food options.

SNAP Cuts and Inflation Compound the Problem

The closure of Family Dollar stores comes on the heels of reductions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits following the COVID-19 pandemic. This double blow has significantly impacted sales at Family Dollar, where SNAP purchases account for $11 out of every $100 spent. The combination of benefit cuts and high inflation has created a perfect storm, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet.

A Reuters analysis found that 648 Family Dollar stores have already been shuttered, with 15 closures occurring in high-poverty urban neighborhoods. This trend is forcing residents to seek alternatives, often at higher prices. Drug stores and convenience stores typically charge significantly more for the same items, putting additional strain on already tight budgets.

Limited Options and Higher Costs

For families like the Begleys, the closure of their local Family Dollar means longer trips and higher costs for groceries. Stanley Chase, a veteran in North Nashville, now faces similar challenges. He relies on food aid and customer donations to supplement his diet, a situation that has become increasingly common in affected communities.

The price differences between Family Dollar and other retailers can be substantial. For example, Ball Park beef hot dogs cost $4.95 at Family Dollar compared to $5.99 at Walgreens. These price disparities add up quickly for families on tight budgets, making every shopping trip a financial challenge.

While some customers can use food benefits on delivery services like Instacart, the delivery fees are not covered by food aid, creating an additional barrier for those who can least afford it. This leaves many low-income families with few viable options for affordable groceries and household essentials.

Looking Ahead

As Dollar Tree focuses on long-term success and considers potential sale or spin-off options for Family Dollar, the future remains uncertain for many communities. The closure of these stores leaves a significant gap in the retail landscape of low-income neighborhoods, one that may not be easily filled by other retailers.

For mothers like Latrina Begley, the daily ritual of visiting Family Dollar with her children was more than just a shopping trip – it was a chance for family bonding and a way to stretch their limited resources. As these stores disappear, families are forced to adapt, often at the cost of both convenience and affordability. The full impact of these closures on America’s most vulnerable communities remains to be seen, but for now, many are left searching for new ways to meet their basic needs in an increasingly challenging economic landscape.