On Giving Tuesday, which is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 30 this year), Facebook will be matching donations made through campaigns on its platform, and a White County program will be one of those campaigns.
Seeds of Hope of TN is a program that fights homelessness in White County through helping community members become self-sufficient and assisting them in finding avenues to independence.
“There’s many barriers that are keeping people from being self-sufficient, but our mission is to give a hand up, not a handout, and help all those we come in contact with become productive citizens of our community,” Tina Lomax, chairperson for the Seeds of Hope of TN program, said. “We are seeing a rise in homelessness right now due to COVID-19 causing unemployment for many and it’s complicated by a lack of affordable housing.”
While the organization works year-round to provide services to the homeless population, they recognize that the next several months are a stressful time for those without permanent housing and are preparing for their third year of the Coldest Nights Shelter.
“Since opening three years ago, we’ve provided 136 warm beds and 532 meals,” Lomax said. “We’ve also assisted 36 people in becoming permanently housed and helped 27 individuals be admitted to different treatment centers.”
Lomax said there are a variety of ways for the community to become involved with helping the Seeds of Hope of TN as the battle homelessness.
“Shelter season will start Jan. 1 and run through March 15, and we are diligently looking for volunteers to be overnight hosts during shelter season,” she said. “We also offer a free food pantry that’s located outside of our office, and we depend on volunteers and donors to keep it filled.”
Lomax said that on Giving Tuesday, there will be a campaign on the Seeds of Hope of TN Facebook page and that she and other board members are hoping the White County community will take the opportunity to give back and take advantage of their contributions being multiplied by Facebook’s matching campaign.
“We are asking the community to partner with us and make a difference in our community. All of the money given to Seeds of Hope of TN stays local to White County,” Lomax said. “We are solely funded by donations from businesses and private donors, and as we provide services to the homeless population, not just during the cold winter months but year- round, it’s vital that we have financial partners that support our mission.”
While Facebook is matching all donations made through their platform on Giving Tuesday, Seeds of Hope of TN will accept donations at any time. Donations can be made through their website seedsofhopeoftn.com or via check mailed to their office located at 234 King St., Sparta, Tennessee 38583.
For more information on the Coldest Nights Shelter, Seeds of Hope of TN, or to volunteer, call Tina Lomax at (931) 303-6695.
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