Matthew 25 to Build Herb Garden in Spring 2023

We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the Nashville Herb Society! The Herb Society is a non-profit, working organization whose grant mission to support gardens that enhance opportunity, awareness and sense of community by providing nutrition, wellness and education.

You can learn more about the Nashville Herb Society here: Nashville Herb Society

We plan to build a small herb garden on the patio of our residential facility this spring. It will serve as a source of pride, therapy, community and wellness for the men in our Transitional Housing Program, as it will be tended and kept by our residents. This garden will provide our men with knowledge, skills, enhanced nutrition, and a greater sense of community, as they learn and work together to maintain the garden. 

Gardening, for many people, is therapeutic for the mind, body, and soul. It takes people away from technology and reconnects us with nature. Sometimes, when veterans are out of the military, they continue to seek things they can have pride in, something that they are in control of. Gardening can be that for our residents.  This garden and the skills learned will be a new resource and growth opportunity for our men. Many have never had the opportunity to learn about herbs or gardening in general, and as new men are constantly entering our program, we envision this garden creating new interests and passions for those that we serve. 

Having an herb garden will also allow our kitchen staff to create more flavorful meals for all residents, as we serve 3 meals per day to up to 49 men. We plan to provide lessons on herbs, nutrition, and cooking skills to all residents, teaching them a garden-to-table approach to meals. In this approach, we will teach them to plant and tend to the herbs for when they are housed if they would like to continue that skill and passion after securing housing and personal independence.

We serve roughly 250 men per year in our transitional program. With our plan and the support of several master gardeners, we envision this garden lasting for years to come. We have confidence in our vision, and see this garden as a permanent part of facility.

Middle Tennessee MOAA Chapter Visits M25 Facility

Earlier this spring, the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) visited our men to present career development advice, such as interview skills, resume building, networking and more. They provided tangible guidance and direction for our men seeking to find employment or upgrade their career. 

This visit built on the Middle Tennessee Chapter’s donation of two desktop computers and printers, which occurred earlier this year. These purchases were funded through the generosity of the MOAA Foundation. We are so thankful for the regular support of the Middle Tennessee Chapter! 

Members of the MOAA Middle Tennessee Chapter

The updated Matthew 25 computer lab, featuring new desktops and printers.

Announcing our Second Annual Walk in the Woods!

Every spring, we provide an easy way for Middle Tennessee to support our men. Join us for our second annual Walk in the Woods on May 6! This event will serve as a fun and casual opportunity to get some fresh air and meet and walk with the men we serve. Support the Walk by registering yourself, recruiting a team, or making a donation. Your participation will strengthen our ability to provide Housing, Help and Hope to those facing the despair and hardships of homelessness.

REGISTER NOW

We look forward to furthering relationships with our present supporters and welcoming new ones here in our community. The Walk will demonstrate the impact of our work, as the men in our programs will walk alongside us, allowing you to hear their stories and better understand how we serve these men who are striving to rebuild their lives.

Our work ultimately creates opportunities for homeless veterans and men to recapture happiness, independence and fulfillment. Your support and attendance will be life-changing for those in need of simple compassion and accountability. We hope you will join us to remind our men that there are countless folks in the community who care for them, believe in them, and want to back them on their road to recovery.

Matthew 25 Facility Returns to Serve at Maximum Capacity

Matthew 25 is pleased to announce that our residential facility is once again able to serve at maximum capacity. For much of the past two years, we have operated at half capacity due to COIVD-19 protocols. This means our census capacity was 25 men, as opposed to the standard 49 men that has been our standard for many years.

We are rapidly accepting new men into our programs, and this means more beds, more meals, more counseling, and ultimately more hope provided to those in need. This, of course, also means more expenses. To help us sustain our momentum and prepare to serve and empower more homeless men and veterans in Middle Tennessee, we have launched the Matthew 25 Renewal Campaign.

This campaign aims to alleviate our growing pains and accelerate our transition back to serving at our fullest capacity. We aim to raise $10,000 to give our organization the financial breathing room and security to provide more meals, hire more case mangers, and restore more lives. You can contribute to this campaign at the button below:

Youth Choir Performs Concert for Matthew 25

Last week, we were visited by the Youth Choir from the First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, FL. They came to Nashville for their annual mission trip, and we are so thankful that they chose to provide our men with pizza and a concert!

This night was such a boost to the spirit and morale of our men, as simple camaraderie can greatly improve the outlook of a man who is working through personal adversity. Their group was so friendly and encouraging, and they can SING! Thank you First Baptist Church of Tallahassee for providing wonderful music and pizza to not only our men, but the entire Vine Hill Tower!

Matthew 25 Partners with Country Artist Steven Cade

We are pleased to announce we have partnered with modern country artist Steven Cade! In an effort to bring awareness to our mission and raise funds for our work, Cade will visit the Matthew 25 facility for a concert and then play two benefit concerts in Nashville.

Cade shares hope and healing through music. On Monday, April 18, Cade will visit the Matthew 25 facility to meet our men, deliver a guitar, and treat the men and staff to a small concert.

On Wednesday, April 20, Cade will perform a benefit concert at The Listening Room at 8pm. On Friday, April 29, he will perform another benefit concert at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant at 6pm.

You can buy tickets to the Listening Room show here:

“Music changes lives and the guitar is such a powerful tool. Music is healing and allows you to express your stories and brings joy,” says Cade. “I give back to homeless shelters because it's part of my story, my family has been homeless as well.”

Cade’s “Giving Guitars Tour” in partnership with Brent Yates and The Gravity of Up visits shelters and agencies across the country that offer housing and services to homeless families and those in need. To date, Cade has visited more than 40 homeless shelters in 11 different states and has gifted over 70 guitars to the residents of these shelters.

 

About Steven Cade and Giving Guitars

· Nashville-based, award-winning, modern country artist, singer-songwriter

· Considered for 7 GRAMMY nominations

· California Music Hall of Fame inductee

· Tours nationally and has been featured with Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Frankie Ballard, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Shania Twain, Gavin DeGraw and many others. 

· Taylor Guitars is the official guitar sponsor for Giving Guitars