OUR STORY​

People Loving Nashville was unintentionally established in 2008 when a group of friends shared several hot meals with some homeless individuals on a cold Thanksgiving night. The experience changed something in them, and they continued to bring supper downtown once a month. Once a month soon turned into a weekly tradition. From a two burner stove in a bachelor pad to a commercially-outfitted kitchen at church, PLN has continued to grow and expand, learning and maturing along the way, all against the backdrop of friendship.

We are based out of the Vineyard Church in historic East Nashville. Our skilled staff and trained volunteers seek to form relationships that bring a Christ-centered, evidence-based pathway to sustainable hope, healing, and restoration. We begin the process by assembling 600+ meals, preparing clothing and supplies for distribution to hundreds, and provide emergency response to serve the disenfranchised of our city in public spaces, low-income apartment complexes, homeless camps and more, every weekday. 

​mission + Vision 

We bring relief, community, connection & development. 

Inspired by the love and words of Jesus, we go to where the most vulnerable of Nashville can be found to create a place for relief, cultivate a healthy community, bring education, development, and restoration, as well as provide an uncomplicated connection to solutions both immediate and long-term.

WHAT WE DO​

Everything we do can be organized into four pillars: Relief, Community, Connection & Development. ​

RELIEF

• We offer meals, clothing, survival supplies, transportation, and emergency housing to the unhoused and those most at-risk in Nashville. 
• People Loving Nashville is also on the front lines of emergency response, developing and implementing protocol for natural disasters, severe weather, pandemics, threats and other critical scenarios affecting those we serve.​

COMMUNITY

• We have intentionally cultivated a culture of love and dignity. Our volunteers and staff are equipped to build trust, provide a support network, offer accountability, and help our friends reimagine what life is outside of homelessness. We have learned over the years the importance and necessity of consistency, so we seek to provide that in strategic ways in highly vulnerable areas.
• Community and consistency also translate to the culture we've built amongst our staff and volunteers, many of whom have been with us for years. From retreats to workshops, popular monthly dinners, and unique discipleship opportunities, we are purposeful in creating opportunities that help our volunteer base learn, grow and thrive together.

CONNECTION

• We recognize the great chasm between those in need and those who can help, and we see the beautiful seeds of transformation planted when a genuine connection happens between these two worlds. There can be some very traumatic experiences that lead our friends into this season of life, so we treat everyone with dignity and honor, nurturing growth in body, mind and soul.To aid us in this work, strong relationships with our community partners are vital. We can achieve more and be more effective when we link arms with others, so we join forces with a variety of trusted partners providing skill and expertise built on their passions and experience. We currently have partnerships providing immediate needs like showers, haircuts, healthcare, casework, counseling, and even pet care at our outreaches. We also have a team of partners who help with employment navigation, mental health services, medical resources, crisis navigation, and housing navigation. ​

DEVELOPMENT
We invest in people as they journey past trauma. One of the most common issues we see for those in poverty is broken relationships. Adopted by biblical precepts, restoration of these relationships is what brings healing. Without that healing, moving into a place of stability in employment, housing, and life is hard. Based on a foundation of love and dignity for each individual, we provide a place for restoration, education, job development, counseling, healing, and empowerment. 

HOW WE DO​ IT

• Monday Street Outreach, our largest street outreach, is held in the heart of Downtown Nashville. ​

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• Monday & Wednesday Encampments, we visit encampments with little or no assistance from other aid programs in Nashville.

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• Tuesday Tulip Street G&C Community Store, our free store open from 12 pm-2 pm at 522 Russell Street, Nashville, TN 37601. ​

 

• Tuesday & Thursday Homefullness Outreach, we serve micro-income apartment complexes where many friends from the streets find their first stable home. ​

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• Friday Food Boxes, food box delivery to those recently transitioned into housing, adding an extra layer of support and encouragement to their homefullness journey. ​

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• Our Homefullness Program is a pathway to housing and stability for our friends on the street.

Become an ally to the most vulnerable!