This article appeared in the January 2014 issue of the East Nashvillian magazine.
I heard recently that snow on the ground before Christmas in East Nashville means a cold winter season. Inconvenient for us, right? What about our East Nashville neighbors who may not have a permanent or even indoor place to sleep this winter? More than an inconvenience, for them it’s about survival. What can we do to help? Here are several places you can volunteer time or money to help the poor, homeless, and marginalized right here in our neighborhood.
Room In The Inn Between Nov. 1 and March 31, Room in the Inn helps upwards of 1,400 people in Middle Tennessee with emergency overnight shelter, mainly at local churches. In East Nashville, Nashville First Church of the Nazarene at 5th and Woodland is one of the 180 congregations helping. They always appreciate volunteers, as well as donations of items or money. roomintheinn.org
Nashville Rescue Mission Providing food, counseling, and emergency services like shelter, clothing, and hot showers, the Nashville Rescue Mission is open 365 days a year and has an easy signup for volunteering or donating at their website: nashvillerescuemission.org
Open Table Nashville Assisting people in locating transitional housing, Open Table Nashville partners with local churches during the winter to provide emergency shelter for the homeless. They have a need for volunteers, as well as donations. opentablenashville.org
Sophia’s Heart Located in East Nashville, Sophia’s Heart provides transitional housing for homeless families. Their goal is to keep the family unit together during the transition to permanent housing. Information on how to get involved or to make donations is at sophiasheart.org
East Nashville Cooperative Ministry The Second Harvest Food Bank site for our area, East Nashville Cooperative Ministry volunteers hand out food boxes to the hungry. To get involved or make donations, visit encm.org
