Statements

Mission

The mission of Luke 14:12 is to provide hot, nutritious meals to those who are experiencing homelessness and suffering from food insecurity in Nashville. Luke 14:12 is an ecumenical outreach program through which persons of diverse faith and secular communities join together in a common effort to address the needs of those who are inadequately fed.

Background

Luke 14:12 began serving Nashville's homeless community in 1983 and incorporated into a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in June 2004. In 1982 Miss Laura McCray, a member of Edgehill United Methodist Church, served a pot of soup to two people in need. By sharing this first meal with two individuals in need Miss Laura saw the need to feed Nashville's hungry. Luke 14:12 was born out of Miss Laura's desire to serve a dinner-style meal to all who would come to eat at Edgehill United Methodist Church. After Miss Laura's death, the work of Luke 14:12 continued as an independent ecumenical board of directors was created to guide the future of Luke 14:12. In 1998 the first Executive Director was hired and as the number of guests being served increased additional part-time staff were hired from the homeless community to assist in preparing the noon meals each Tuesday and Friday. In August 2006, Luke 14:12 moved its operation from Edgehill UMC to the Fellowship Hall of Belmont Church on Music Row. In January 2011 Luke 14:12 made another move to Room In the Inn at 705 Drexel Street. In the fall of 2014 Luke 14:12 expanded meal service to add Mondays to our meal service days and in 2018 we started serving meals two Wednesdays of each month. Luke 14:12 currently serves hot meals to an average of 220 people three days each week.

Impact

Luke 14:12 offers free, quality home-cooked lunches three days a week to individuals who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. These meals include an entree with a carbohydrate, vegetables, salad, bread, fruit, dessert and beverage and are served out of the dining room of Room In the Inn's facility.

Needs

Luke 14:12 would appreciate any financial assistance to help our organization to feed Nashville's hungry and homeless.
You can help feed all of our lunch guests in one day with $300.00

CEO Statement

Luke 14:12 is one of the oldest continually operating soup kitchens in Nashville. It is unique for a non-profit feeding program because it is its own corporate entity. When Luke 14:12 first applied for a Tennessee tax-exempt permit, a listing for "Soup Kitchen" did not exist - most soup kitchens are missions of a particular faith community. It is the goal of the Board of Directors that a variety of faith communities, individuals and businesses join together in a common purpose to feed those who are unable to feed themselves. Luke 14:12's volunteers are of vital importance to our daily operations. Many from our ecumenical volunteer base have been serving Nashville's hungry and homeless since Luke 14:12's inception in 1983. Volunteers come from a variety of faith communities, businesses, youth groups as well as individuals. Luke 14:12 exemplifies the ability and willingness of various groups to come together to take care of those less fortunate.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Food, Agriculture & Nutrition  - Soup Kitchens
Secondary Category:	Human Services  - Homeless Services/Centers
Tertiary Category:	Food, Agriculture & Nutrition  - Soup Kitchens

Areas Served

Greater Nashville area.

TN - Davidson