H.O.P.E.(Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality) H.O.P.E. erected a Tent City at Morris Park, located at 747 Poplar Avenue, on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The National Low-Income Housing Coalition planned a National Housing Week of Action to bring awareness to affordable housing for low-income recipients on May 1-8, 2018. H.O.P.E’s Tent City represented the often-overlooked people experiencing homelessness of the city of Memphis and what it is like to live in their shoes, as well as talking about the issues that surround low income housing.
At 2PM, we began with a rally for affordable housing, chanting a loud “NO” to President Trump’s HUD increase in rent, and also reiterated our call for a free, city run shelter in Memphis. Then there was a community cookout, with all the fixings for our guests. H.O.P.E made sure that this event served our community and those directly affected by homelessness by choosing Morris Park on Poplar Ave. This is a park where hundreds of those without homes, and those made poor by an unjust economic system, come in search of a meal on any given Saturday, provided by area churches. We served at least 50 people and even got a chance for one of our constituents to tell his story on Fox 13.
Thanks to those who donated tents, as well as a donations of bottled water and snacks for the actual day. Thanks to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s for donating stickers, buttons, and t-shirts to wear for our volunteers and community leaders. Thanks to the volunteers who helped with to pass out the food and to help with sign making. If you can donate to in the future to H.O.P.E. or volunteer, please contact Tamara by cell at (901) 254-5964 or by email at tamara@midsoutheace.org.
Feed the Movement!
One of the ways we learn about the needs of the homeless community and strategize around ways to best support one another, is through our weekly Wednesday meetings in which we invite people experiencing homelessness to fellowship, share, and brainstorm.For many groups and organizations offering free food at meetings is a plus for their attendees, but for H.O.P.E. it is a necessity due to the fact that most often the meal offered at H.O.P.E. meetings, may be the only meal they will have all day.
If you are an individual or a restaurant, you can help by donating a prepared meal, once a month, for our Wednesday afternoon meetings. Don’t have time to cook or buy prepared foods and bring them to our meeting space? We also accept monetary donations towards this cause. We’d like to give a special shoutout to Marco’s Pizza on Belvedere & Madison Ave for providing our meal, one week out of every month! As always, all forms of donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
If you have questions or would like to support to HOPE by making a donation, please call Tamara @ 901-254-5964 or email tamara@midsouthpeace.org.