NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nonprofits like Room In The Inn try to provide a warm bed and meal to everyone that walks in their doors.
However, they say they're most successful when they, too, have a helping hand.
On nights like Wednesday, when the cold increases the demand at the Room In The Inn's main shelter on Drexel Street, congregations like Christ the King step in to help.
To understand just how great this resource is, watch the player above and hear from the people who live it out.
The church expanded their capacity from 20 to 28 Wednesday, offering a warm bed, dinner, breakfast, and other items to those who came in.
"This makes Nashville who we are, we look out for our neighbors," said Rachel Hester, the executive director at Room In The Inn. "I think we're all better when we're warm. I think we're all better when we feel safe."
"Sometimes in life we think no one's paying attention, and it lets us know there's someone looking out for us," said Robert Stiles, who went to stay at the Room In The Inn Wednesday. "[This is] such a great resource."
Christ the King is one of a handful of congregations that is providing overflow shelter.
If you're interested in joining as a congregation, or volunteer, you can visit the Room In The Inn website.
There are still so many families in East Tennessee hurting following the floods from Hurricane Helene in September. That made this year's running of the Santa Train extra special for many families in the northeast part of the state. This special Santa Express has been making an annual run in part of Appalachia for over 80 years.
-Lelan Statom
