At Thanksgiving, as so many across this country will gather to give thanks for another year, a group of men, women, and children experiencing homelessness will come together in prayer at Nashville Rescue Mission, expressing sincere thanks for you.
You are the reason the homeless and hurting in our community are welcome at the Mission’s table. Just ask Alex, who would not have had a place to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal were it not for you.
“This past Thanksgiving was wonderful,” shared Alex. “It’s how I pictured the Pilgrims on the first Thanksgiving—people sitting down at a table and others bringing the food out to set before them. It was everything I always wanted for Thanksgiving but never had.”
Time To Go
“I was in Chattanooga helping my cousins when they decided it was time for me to go. They put me on a bus to Nashville but kept my phone,” said Alex. “I’m 60 years old and can’t remember phone numbers, so I had no way to call anyone. I didn’t know a soul in Nashville.”
When Alex got off the bus near Nissan Stadium, he had no idea where to go or what to do. Despite struggling with addiction in his past, he was now clean and sober, but with only $11 in his pocket, he didn’t have many options. So, he spent several days sleeping on bus benches before a police officer pointed him to Nashville Rescue Mission.
“I’ve had some hard times,” shared Alex. “I’m divorced and have two daughters. My youngest daughter died at 30 of a heart attack. I was devastated. I thought God had abandoned me, but I realized I was the one who abandoned God.”
At The Mission
The Mission welcomed Alex with open arms and provided him food, clothing, shelter, and programming that dramatically improved his life.
“From the bottom of my heart, I wish I could thank each person who supports the Mission personally,” shared Alex. “I needed clothes; I needed food—because of donors, I got food, clothes, three hot meals a day. The way donors support the Mission, no one goes without here. I’m so grateful.”
“The best thing I gained at the Mission was a sense of self,” said Alex. “I was not a confident person, especially after abusing substances. But with the Mission’s help, I was able to learn more about God, accept Him back into my life, and listen to Him, and let Him guide me.”
You Make Thanksgiving Great
Because of you and your support, Alex and so many others like him will gather this Thanksgiving and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal much like the one you might eat at mom’s house—turkey, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, served with sweet tea, and a slice of pie.
Volunteers will carry trays of food and escort guests to their table, while others will refill glasses of tea and offer hellos and other words of encouragement. It will be a day filled with blessings of hope.
“We are so thankful for our donors, volunteers, staff, and everyone who is a part of the Mission family,” said Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of the Mission. “Each plays a significant role in making our ministry possible. Sometimes our ministry to those in need starts with a meal—and sometimes, that meal is the one served at Thanksgiving. This meal may do more than fill an empty stomach. It might also open the door to other services the Mission offers like job training, counseling, recovery programs—and for some guests, it’s often the start of a new and better life, just like it was for Alex.”
Thank you for your faithful support of the work of Nashville Rescue Mission.
Because of you, Alex, and others like him, are experiencing radical transformation. Help make Thanksgiving great for homeless neighbors this holiday season.
