Congregations unite to feed, shelter homeless for more than 20 years

Published: 2005-12-28

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- On a recent Tuesday night, Room in the Inn guests arrived hungry and cold at Cathedral of the Incarnation Church in Nashville, just as they have every winter for the last 20 years. A warm bed and hearty meal awaited each of the guests. "The meal on the table provides a sense of normalcy. There's no judgment, no questions," said Susan Fogley, a Cathedral parishioner and Room in the Inn volunteer. Fogley, who has volunteered in a number of homeless shelters in other cities, said the Room in the Inn program "is so much warmer. People genuinely care and that makes it comfortable for the guests." After listening to the house rules and saying grace, the guests and volunteers sit down together for dinner, which on this day consisted of fried chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes. "They always have good food here," one guest commented, smiling as he ate a home-baked chocolate chip cookie. Cathedral was one of the four original congregations who signed up to house the homeless as part of the fledgling Room in the Inn program during the winter of 1985-86.

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