Chattanooga Community Kitchen Dishes up Hope for Hundreds of Homeless People

Lynn Hodge, a volunteer, says, "Its just part of what we do and we all like to do and it gives us a good feeling to help people when they come through the line. People are appreciative and say thank you and oh that’s good."

Hodge is working with a group of volunteers from St. Paul’s Church, and this is not a one time thing.

Hodge actually volunteers a couple of times a month.

Hodge adds, "There have been times we’ve gotten down here and have been short of something, napkins and we have one member particularly who will go buy and bring in so we’ll have enough silverware or napkins that day to be able to use."

Resources are limited at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.

That’s why Executive Director Charlie Hughes is trying to figure out how to fund 2014.

They need about $750,000, but are about $135,000 short of that goal.

Hughes says, "Many times the economy, being what it is, things going on, for us it means if we don’t reach that goal, we have to re-evaluate what we’re going to do next year."

The Chattanooga Community Kitchen just opened up Matthews Place, a permanent housing solution for some of the homeless population.

So, organizers have that to think about as well, as they serve up pies and other goodies this holiday season.