Day #70: Give with The Salvation Army in Nashville, TN

When you think of The Salvation Army, what comes to mind?

I immediately think of two things: (1) the bell ringing outside of stores during the Christmas season and (2) a thrift store.

This morning, my family and I met Amanda Grieves (Human Resources and Social Media Manager) at the Nashville Area Command. After being introduced to staff and touring the facility, we were pleasantly surprised with the many Salvation Army operations.

Thrifts stores and kettles are certainly part of The Salvation Army, but today we walked through a facility with a vision to equip people with the necessary tools to transition from homelessness to sustainability.

The Nashville Area Command has rooms for 13 families, 9 single women, and 19 single men. They also cook a free hot meal every night for their residents. Equally important, they provide GED, job, and life skills training. The goal is for people to find & keep jobs, manage their finances, and not return to homelessness.

The Salvation Army also responds to disasters, operates Angel Tree, and routinely gives food to the homeless and hungry.

Everyone we met had something in common. Excitement in their eyes to care for others.

Did you know The Salvation Army has chuches? We are going to attend one this Sunday.

Our family spent 2011 traveling the USA in an RV, striving to intentionally "give every day" for the glory of God. We interviewed CEOs of nonprofits and served alongside over 40 organizations and churches.

Our Pledge

We hereby pledge:

- To spend intimate, quantity time with our family.
- To actively help the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the helpless.
- To value, protect, and advocate for children.
- To de-emphasize the importance of “stuff” in our lives.
- To bring publicity to good causes and good people.
- To live with intentionality, as if this year was our very last.
- To observe the needs in our country/community – and then do something about them.
- To give – every day.