The most affected by any natural disaster are the already poor and vulnerable. The residents of Nashville’s “Tent City” are just such people. And they need your help.
On any given day in Nashville it’s estimated that there are over 4,000 homeless. But less than 800 shelter beds.
Hundreds of homeless live together in a neighborhood made of tents in downtown near the Cumberland River. They lost everything in last week’s storms and, unlike most Nashvillians, the residents of Tent City did not have much to begin with and have no insurance and little/no income with which to rebuild now that flood waters have retreated.
People Loving People is a local Christian organization that forged relationships with residents of Tent City long before the rain fell. Every week the PLP community spends hours with their friends in Tent City. They’ve invested not just food, clothing, and other supplies but themselves…for such a time as this.
Because PLP has a relationship with the citizens of Tent City, and because it’s Christ-centered, it’s able to meet their deepest needs and minister beyond the physical. And I’m confident that the people of Tent City will feel loved and valued long after their most pressing needs are met: their relationship will continue with their PLP friends.
THREE WAYS TO HELP “PEOPLE LOVING PEOPLE” HELP TENT CITY:
- 1. DONATE TENTS: People Loving People, with help from WAY-FM, will be collecting tents, men’s and women’s jeans/shorts, sleeping bags and other camping gear on Saturday May 8th at the Spring Hill, TN Kroger on Port Royal. WAY-FM will broadcast live and Mike’s Chair and I will be there helping out as well. Facebook event page here.
- 2. ASSEMBLE/DONATE HYGIENE KITS: On Saturday May 8th 10AM-Noon we’ll be assembling hygiene kits for Tent City residents at WellSpring Christian Church’s office located at 1001 Chapman’s Crossing, Spring Hill, TN. Assemble kits with us or just donate any of the following items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, men’s and women’s deodorant, disposable razors, washcloths, hand sanitizer, gallon ziploc bags. Please no mouthwash. Facebook event page here.
- 3. DONATE MONEY: Don’t live near Nashville? Make a donation at PeopleLovingPeople.org.
Thanks.
Rick Orrell says:
So glad to see your efforts to help people in your own backyard. I appreciate the incredible things you do for Compassion, but I know you also care about those in closer proximity as well. :-))
Sheri says:
Wow. That first picture really puts everything in perspective. We’re getting ready to have a garage sale; People Loving People sounds like a good place to send anything we make.
Thank you for posting this, we’ll try to help as much as we can.
mandy falgout says:
i cannot get the link to work for the peoplelovingpeople.org site???
Shaun Groves says:
I’ve checked all the links in this post and they’re working for me. I don’t know why you’d be having that problem but please keep trying. Mandy.
Thanks.
misty says:
Thanks Shaun! I have been searching for a way to get involved to help! I live in Knoxville and this organization and these precious people are the exact ones that I would love to help.
Thanks so much!!
We are THAT family says:
Thanks for giving us something tangible to do.
Sarah says:
Thanks for sharing this – I’ve been wanting to help, but didn’t know how.
Sarah Valente (Kingdom Mama) says:
We don’t have t.v. and I literally had no idea just how bad things were there. Off to see what I can do.
Kellie says:
Hey Shaun, I had link trouble too. I couldn’t get the “This is Nashville” link to work on FB or my dashboard but the link with your name did work. Just FYI.
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks for the heads up, Kellie. That’s 100% Facebook’s issue.
Shocker. Facebook has issues ; )
Thanks.
Roberta says:
Wish I lived closer so I could help physically with the kits…such a great idea. But we are glad to contribute what we can financially to help out :}
Gina says:
Thank you mentioning this org. I have been praying about where to give- this one seemed like the right one.
Roberta says:
Hey Shaun…you’ve inspired me…thank you!
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/bobis_business_of_bliss_i/2010/05/floods-in-nashville-helping-those-in-need.html#tp
Shaun Groves says:
Fantastic, Roberta! Great idea.
Roberta says:
Hey Shaun…I got my bags together…have a Wabi Sabi Saturday, fondly, Roberta
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/bobis_business_of_bliss_i/2010/05/wabi-sabi-saturday-comforting-the-homeless.html#tp
Brad says:
Do they have enough yet?