This is a list of resources Downtown to feed and aid the homeless. As you can see, those on the streets have access to at least two free meals every day, sometimes more. Downtowners who wish to help the homeless are encouraged to support these organizations, rather than give money directly to panhandlers. If you know of additional resources to help the homeless, please e-mail them to me (paul@paulryburn.com) and they will be added to the list.
Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 N. Second – Hospitality HUB, open Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, offers worship; spiritual guidance; traveler’s aid in limited circumstances; help getting birth certificates and state IDs for employment; lockers; computer access; and coffee and conversation. Free breakfast offered on Sunday mornings.
First Presbyterian Church, 166 Poplar – Soup kitchen every Sunday afternoon; clothes closet for the homeless Sundays 1:30-3:30 PM distributes work clothes and hygiene kits; vouchers for three area shelters handed out on Sunday afternoons.
Memphis Union Mission, 383 Poplar – Dinner + chapel + night’s shelter + breakfast for $6 a night, with four nights free a month, and free when below 32 degrees. Check-in by 6 PM. You can buy voucher books to hand out to panhandlers in lieu of money. Free lunches daily.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 155 Market – Soup kitchen 6 days a week, Monday-Saturday, with praise songs at 6:30 AM; coffee and cookies 7:30 AM; a meat sandwich, soup, and a treat between 9 and 10 AM; patrons may come back for all the peanut butter sandwiches they can eat.
The Street Ministry, 600 Poplar – Assistance for those with substance abuse, dependency, and mental illness problems. Participants are given vouchers for the Union Mission in exchange for their willingness to enter treatment, seek employment, support others, and address their primary issues.
St. Patrick Catholic Church 277 So. 4th St. (accross from the Fed-ex Forum at the corner of Linden) Soup on Sunday – hot meal every Sunday 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Every fourth Sunday More Than a Meal Served from 1:00 – 1:40 p. m. Anyone is welcome to come for an hour of hospitality and fellowship sit down and enjoy a hot meal served by staff and volunteers.
Food Not Bombs serves vegetarian meals every Saturday at 2 PM in Court Square.