PawPaw’s Ministry helps unhoused community during extreme cold

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Our friends from PawPaw’s Ministry were spotted in Chattanooga today, handing out blankets, hot beverages, and coats to members of the unhoused community.

With temperatures remaining well below freezing, the group says their goal is to make sure people have the resources they need to survive the harsh conditions.

Founder Mike Rice, also known as PawPaw, says the mission is deeply personal.

“My heart is with these people. I know these people,” Rice said. “If you give someone a glass of hot tea, it means so much. To give a blanket or a toboggan makes a difference. Just look behind me. These people are happy simply knowing that someone cares about them.”

PawPaw’s Ministry also shared an update on social media, saying their focus this year is to reach out more often and touch more lives within the community.

The group says anyone is welcome to help and encourages volunteers to join them whenever they see the ministry heading out onto the streets.

As freezing temperatures continue, PawPaw’s Ministry hopes their efforts will not only provide warmth but also remind people they are not forgotten.