From Backpacks to Buildings, Learn How to Make a Difference in Nashville

As a humanitarian who often works internationally, I am no stranger to the question “Why don’t you just serve locally when there is so much need here?” I have learned the best response is “Why don’t you pick up the slack for me when I am away?”

Sometimes people want to help but they just don’t know where to start. It is easy to determine fairly quickly if somebody is just using me as a target for complaining just because they want to complain or if they are truly concerned about the needs of our community. Fortunately, living in the Volunteer State allows for many opportunities to get involved and give back. A few of my local nonprofit favorites for volunteering are Bridge Ministry, Second Harvest and Mending Hearts.

If you find yourself with the itch to serve on a Tuesday afternoon, Bridge Ministry has a solution for you. It started in November 2004 when singer Candy Christmas decided to take a huge pot of jambalaya to the homeless living under the Jefferson Street Bridge. Candy knew right away that there was a need for so much more than just one hot meal so she didn’t stop there. Since then, every Tuesday evening more than two hundred of our homeless neighbors have been gathering to worship, receive a hot meal, and collect clothing and non-perishable food items.

Why you should get involved: The weather is great this time of year, so you can enjoy the outdoors while serving and feeling good about doing a good deed.

How you can get involved: Show up at 5:30 to sign up and set up on Tuesday evening on Second Ave under the Jefferson Street Bridge.

How you can get more information: Visit them online at www.bridgeministry.org.

Do you have a heart for women or just love getting up early on a Saturday morning? If so Mending Hearts, in conjunction with Cross Point Community Church, Lighthouse Ministries and Rideout Repairs & Renovations LLC, could use your help on Saturday mornings for the next few months for a five building project that is underway to house thirty women. Some of the work they are doing includes installing doors, plumbing, demo, clean-up, and landscaping. Mending Hearts offers women an opportunity to receive realistic recovery from a life of addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Why you should get involved: Because you’ve got skills.

How you can get involved: On Saturday mornings at 7am, meet at the gym at Cross Point Community Church at 4301 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209.

How you can get more information: Visit Mending Hearts online at mendingheartsinc.org or Rideout Repairs & Renovations at www.rideoutrepairs.com.

If you are looking for an opportunity to get the whole family involved, Second Harvest offers families an opportunity each Thursday night to serve together by preparing backpacks of food for hungry children. In 1978, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee was founded with the purpose to provide food to the hungry and to solve hunger issues in the community. Since then, many programs such as the BackPack Program which serves more than 6,200 hungry children have been developed at Second Harvest to allow for the community to get involved.

Why you should get involved: Because it is a great opportunity to serve and teach your children (ages 6 and above) the importance of giving back. Yes, you MUST be there with your children as tempting as it might be to just drop them off.

How you can get involved: To volunteer at Second Harvest call 615-627-1570 or email [email protected]. Let them know how you are interested in getting involved but please be mindful that volunteers are assigned a project based on the food resources available and the needs of the organization.

How you can get more information: Visit them online at secondharvestmidtn.org.

If you are still searching for an opportunity, the place in Nashville to go to that has serving figured out is Cross Point Community Church. Visit them online at www.crosspoint.tv for more information.


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