Chattanooga is a city of compassion - for the families of our servicemen killed while simply doing their jobs on Lee and Amnicola Highways, for the homeless and hungry among us, and for the residents of Superior Creek Lodge, thrown out of their homes by the city of East Ridge when the buildings were condemned.
For people living on the margin, places like Superior Creek Lodge are the only choices in a city that celebrates its downtown and scenic beauty while those on the outskirts are unable to find affordable housing.
Metropolitan Ministries, Inc., supported by a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation and by public donations, stepped in immediately to answer the basic needs of 24 families totaling 42 adults and 37 children (to date.) Rent deposits in safe and suitable housing were paid, providing places to live, sleep, be safe and call home. Additionally, MetMin paid for 93 motel stays of three days to two weeks. A total of $46,041.41 has been spent.
Thank you MetMin staff members Anna Katherine Horne and Miller Blain, and a special hug of thanks to Pete Cooper of the Community Foundation. Thank you friends of MetMin who have given generously and thanks to future donors. Think of what homelessness would mean to your family and to you, and check out MetMin at www.met-min.org, or Metropolitan Ministries on Facebook.
A proud and grateful MetMin volunteer.
Sally Durand
Signal Mountain
* * *
I sincerely agree with Ms. Durand's comments about Chattanooga being a city of compassion. I also appreciate the many donations that go to various organizations that help many people in our area.
While I applaud people who volunteer to help others in times of need and crisis, I take exception to her comment about the city of East Ridge throwing these people out of their homes. These people were removed as quickly as possible from a dangerous situation for their own safety.
Since Ms. Durand does not live in East Ridge, she does not know what kind of compassion was shown during this time. Although Chief Mike Williams contacted several agencies for help that evening, the only one that showed up was the Salvation Army. He cared enough to try and get people there to help these people, but his main concern, as well as the city of East Ridge, was for their safety.
By the way, East Ridge is not "on the outskirts" of Chattanooga no more than Signal Mountain is.
Donna Reed