After a fire at the Patten Towers apartments left 160 tenants without a home, The Salvation Army and Metropolitan Ministries are doing their part to ensure that those impacted by this tragedy have everything they need.
Major John Edmonds, of the Chattanooga Area Command, will spend Good Friday distributing $100 Walmart gift cards and $35 Food City certificates at two East Ridge hotels where residents are temporarily being housed.
These gift cards will support displaced residents and allow them to purchase necessities.
These residents are currently being housed by five local hotels where meals are being delivered daily. It is unknown at this time as to when these residents will be able to return to their apartments. Many left their homes with only the clothes on their backs and are in great need for undergarments, clothing, and basic supplies. Since the fire last weekend, over 50 organizations and churches, including the Enterprise Center and the city of Chattanooga, have all been meeting daily on zoom calls to determine how best to serve these fire victims. Service has been ongoing all week.
“To best serve these residents at this time, The Salvation Army, and Metropolitan Ministries have come together to collect monetary donations and Walmart gift cards,” said Diane Jarvis, president of Southeast TN Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. “To donate visit: csarmy.org or met-min.org and note Patten Towers Relief. Ongoing volunteer opportunities are being updated daily at ihelpchattanooga.org.”