All around Nashville, we see "Compassion In Action." This time of year, we hear the bell and see the red kettles. That money, collected by the Salvation Army is used to help people year 'round.
It's a reality Benita Thompson knows all too well. About a year ago this blue van was home to Thompson and her young daughter. The Nashville native had moved away from Music City, but came home to take care of her sick mother. She says the city she had called home was no longer affordable and she wound up homeless. Running out of money, food and gas to stay warm, Thomson says she saw a sign.
"We was just down on our luck and I seen the Salvation Army," she said.
Desperate for help she stopped in and soon she called the Center of Hope off Dickerson Pike home for nearly 6-months. She says it gave her a chance to re-group, to sleep, do laundry, look for work and find a permanent place to live.
Major Ethan Frizzell is the Area Commander for the Salvation Army in Nashville. He says Benita's story is the reason for all the red kettles this time of year. Frizzell says the money collected helps get families food and shelter while they get back on track.
The Salvation Army-Nashville Area Command and Benita Thompson each received a $1,000 gift card provided by Kroger as part of our "compassion in action" project.
