PawPaw’s Homeless Ministry hosts holiday events to help families in need

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In the heart of Chattanooga, a quiet movement of compassion is taking hold.

The nonprofit PawPaw’s Homeless Ministry, led by the gracious and spirited man more often called PawPaw, is shining a light for those living on the city’s streets.

PawPaw, whose given name is Mike Rice, describes his role with humility and purpose.

He says, “it feels like a calling.” He explains, “It’s such a blessing. I always tell my volunteers in this ministry. You never know what life is going to bring, look people in the eye, let them know they’re cared about, let them know that they’re heard, let them know that they’re seen.”

Every act of kindness, every shared meal, every welcoming smile is rooted in that simple but powerful idea, and each person matters.

“Everybody’s special in their own way. And that’s the most important thing in my ministry. Our ministry needs to let people know we all just need to be hugged and cared about.”

He remembered the exact moment he became PawPaw.

“I remember, it was 6 years ago, and this was when my granddaughter was 8 years old, and after making a donation, a woman asked me, well what do we call you? And my granddaughter said, ‘he’s called PawPaw.’ And ever since then, I’ve been PawPaw. When I walk down the street, people go ‘PawPaw, PawPaw.’ Sometimes I forget that my name is Mike.” He laughed genuinely.

That nickname has become more than casual, it’s a sign of trust and recognition in the community.

PawPaw’s Homeless Ministry has become a meaningful fixture in Chattanooga’s outreach scene.

“It’s a huge teamwork. What we do, we serve them with a hot meal. I do Thursday at 5 o’clock. We cook that meal or sometimes we have different organizations and restaurants that donate food, but we take families off the street, they have children, we put them in apartments with assistance, we furnish their food, their furniture, their clothing, and we just try to assist in a way we can, especially with families, with children, and get them off the street.”

The ministry doesn’t just hand out meals, it reaches into lives, offering stability and hope.

Sunday, November 30 at the venue of The Comedy Catch, doors open at 1 p.m. and the show begins at 2 p.m.

“Come to that November 30, our big fundraiser for Comedy Catch on a Sunday brunch.”

All of the proceeds will go toward the Christmas event, Miracle on 11th Street, on December 14th, where Santa will also make a special appearance.

And St. Elmo’s Feast Day is Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The community of St. Elmo Park hosts a vibrant neighborhood food festival.

Free food, a charity bake sale, a pumpkin patch for kids and a field-day on the green from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. make this a family-friendly way to engage, have fun and support local nonprofits.

“You never know what life is going to bring. Look people in the eye, let them know they’re cared about, let them know that they’re heard, let them know that they’re seen.”

Every part of this, with community events, with meals, with outreach, speaks of that fundamental belief.

Click here to learn more about these upcoming events or to connect with PawPaw’s Homeless Ministry.