At Open Table Nashville, we are acutely aware of the impact that is made when our community comes together to support and take care of each other. Our work would not be possible if it weren't for our dedicated community of supporters and volunteers. We are immensely grateful to the individuals who show up for foot clinic in the blazing heat and come winter canvassing with us in the freezing cold. Over the years, we have seen so many members of our community show up and continue to show up over and over again with tireless kindness. We wanted to spotlight one of these incredible individuals: Ben Jackson.
We first connected with Ben while he was attending Vanderbilt Divinity School several years ago. He first got involved with OTN volunteering at resource shelters and since then has stayed involved, frequently joining us for foot clinic and winter canvassing. He says that he continues to volunteer because of the importance of the work. "As Nashville has continued to change and there has been some disheartening legislation that affects our neighbors and friends, [volunteering] provides an opportunity to do something good for someone," he says. In his time volunteering, he has gotten to know folks and formed relationships. In the fast-paced, ever-changing landscape of our city today, we don't always get to know our neighbors, but volunteering in various environments has provided him with an opportunity to do just that. He often tells people about his experiences volunteering and the friendships he's formed when they express a lack of understanding about homelessness.
Ben really embodies what it looks like to create communities of care in which people are seen, heard, and cared for. Our community is better because of people like Ben, and we are so grateful to every person who takes time out of their day to show up for our neighbors. We know that it is only through community that we will build a better world, and you are part of creating that community with us.
If you're interested in volunteering with Open Table Nashville, we have various opportunities throughout the year. Most notably, we host our weekly foot clinic in the summer at Trinity Community Commons, and we hit the streets of Downtown Nashville for winter canvassing whenever temperatures get below freezing for at least 3 consecutive hours on winter nights. More information and sign ups for these opportunities can be found on our resource page, depending on the time of year. When additional volunteer opportunities come up, we will keep you posted on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Thank you for joining us at the table.