NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It's that time of year when days start getting colder and the holidays are in full swing. With Thanks giving coming up, volunteers spent the day packing and delivering home cooked meals.
Reverend Kelly X leads The Village Church. Congregation members along with seniors spent the day at the 50 forward Madison station senior center helping out.
"This is what we are doing we are loving our neighbors as ourselves, we are making sure that they know that they are loved in this time as it gets colder and the days get shorter," said Reverend Kelly X.
They packed cars with hot plates in plastic wrap and drove to several communities and churches around Nashville giving out meals.
"Even the little things, like once we make the plates to wrap them in plastic wrap so they can get them warm," said X. "To be able to do that and provide that for folks it normalizes it makes folks remember all of the things."
Multiple organizations helped put together the event including Souls United, 50 Forward Madison Station, The Village Church.
NewsChannel 5 spoke with Sheldon Diggs, a veteran and the organizer of the nonprofit Souls United before the event.
“It breaks my heart to see so many people still struggling, but I focus on what I can do, and that’s what keeps me going,” said Diggs.
The goal is to provide a Thanksgiving meal for more than 250 people in need. Diggs says donations are key to making the event a success.
If you’d like to support Souls United’s efforts or volunteer for the Friendsgiving event, Diggs encourages you to reach out through the Souls United Facebookpage or by calling (615) 517-1600.
With the help of volunteers, Diggs and his team serve meals to hundreds of people every week.
In August 2024, data from Metro Nashville revealed that more than 3,200 individuals experienced homelessness, including 266 veterans.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at (Kim.Rafferty@newschannel5.com).
Another example of how one person can truly make a difference. And the best part - we all can help! As a nurse, Laura handles emergencies every day. But nothing could prepare her for the emergency that brought her hometown to its knees. From her current home in Tennessee, she's mobilizing aid and supplies for Helene survivors and is helping make their recovery easier and their holidays brighter. I hope you take a moment to watch her story - you might even feel inspired to lend a helping hand.
-Rebecca Schleicher
