After the rush of Thanksgiving, the madness of Black Friday shopping, and the online deals with Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is finally here. In honor of the day, focusing on donating to those in need, we found nine places that are providing worthwhile services for others, and could use a little help as the end of 2022 approaches.
1. Nashville Rescue Mission
The importance of what the Nashville Rescue Mission does cannot be overstated. In addition to providing a temporary shelter and food for the homeless population, Nashville Rescue Mission also provides addiction counseling, help gaining employment, and more.
2. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee takes food from grocery stores, farms, manufacturers, distributors, individuals and more, and strategically finds a way to share it with others, including after-school programs, soup kitchens, senior centers and other places. They also raise funds and write grants to buy food at bulk prices and fund feeding programs, as well as cover operational costs.
3. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity has provided homes for low-income families and others in need for years, along with affordable mortgages, financial counseling and more. The global program, which has drawn support from celebrities like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, also empowers homeowners to serve as well, by helping build their own homes.
4. Mercy Multiplied
Mercy Multiplied (formerly Mercy Ministries) is a completely free residential program, offering women between the ages of 13 and 32 facing eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addiction, unplanned pregnancy, depression and more. Adoption services are also available.
5. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helps children all over the world. The hospital, located in Memphis but with an office in Nashville, offers completely free medical care for children battling cancer and certain other life-threatening illnesses. They also work tirelessly to find a cure for various diseases, freely sharing their research with other medical institutions. In addition to medical care, St. Jude covers travel and living expenses for families who have a child being treated at the hospital.
6. Thistle Farms
Founded by Reverend Becca Stevens (wife of renowned songwriter Marcus Hummon), Thistle Farms provides free housing for female survivors of prostitution, trafficking, addiction and more, as well as clinical services to help women find healing. Thistle Farms also has a cafe and shop, where the women make items such as candles, soaps, apparel and other items, providing job training and employment — with many of the women continuing to remain employed by Thistle Farms after they leave the two-year program.
7. Nashville Humane Association
The Nashville Humane Association takes care of homeless, abused and neglected animals all over Middle Tennessee. They also provide adoption services for pets, plus spay and neuter services to shelters and rescue centers.
8. Hands On Nashville
The work of Hands on Nashville has never been more important than in the last couple of years. The organization, which provides volunteers to help in a variety of ways, including recovery from the 2020 Nashville tornado and ongoing needs fromt he COVID-19 pandemic, offers a wide variety of ways for individuals and families who want to help, from trash pick-up to food distribution and more.
9. The Store
Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, started The Store as a way to provide dignity and groceries for those in need, never imagining how much the nonprofit would be needed as soon as it opened. Inspired by the Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara, California, the mission of The Store, which works with the Second Harvest Food Bank, is to allow low-income people to choose their own grocery items, without worrying about having the money to purchase the items.
