Colder weather has finally arrived this month, and with it, this season’s first big snowstorm. As college kids, this is exciting because we are able to get out of class and have fun in the snow. Pictures start to flood social media of snowball fights and sledding down large hills. Not everyone in our community, however, is able to enjoy the snow quite as much. Many people in our community are homeless and have nowhere to go when big snowstorms hit. Shelters in the Tennessee area are often understocked and in need of donations or volunteers. Helping out during these times can be very simple--even as simple as donating old clothes or just sharing a little of your time.

 

Serve a meal or share a meal

The Melting Pot is located downtown beside Munsey Church. This service offers lunch daily for homeless people and also a place for churches to fellowship with them. Different organizations are able to come and serve meals to people who need a warm place to retreat cold winter days. This is a great place to interact with people while also providing for them.

 

The Tri-Cities also has many food pantries like the Good Samaritan on 100 North Road. Donates are always accepted and needed.  Canned items are often inexpensive and are non-perishable. Suggested items are; canned vegetables, dry cereal, box pasta, peanut butter, sliced bread, and instant mashed potatoes. Online donations are also accepted at netfoodbank.org.

 

Search Your Closet

We all have clothes we no longer wear--including old winter jackets. Those would be much appreciated by the homeless in our community. Search your closet for clothing items that no longer fit you or you no longer wear. These are items that could be donate to local shelters or thrift stores.

 

The Good Samaritan also accepts clothing donations.

 

Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4p.m.

 

The Salvation Army has five different locations Johnson City and one in Elizabethton.

 

Volunteer

Volunteering is completely free and can benefit so many people. A great organization in this area is the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) that works through local churches. This program provides shelter and food for the homeless in our community. IHN can also help people get back on their feet by helping them search for jobs. IHN is always welcoming volunteers. You may contact them via phone: (423)-929-9967).  

 

Raise Awareness

Social media is a great outlet for telling other people about what can be done to help. The more information that is shared then the more people can do to. Facebook and Twitter are good sources for finding ways to be of service or find organizations that need volunteers.