Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity
The Metropolitan Action Commission has partnered with Piedmont Natural Gas to donate $10,000 toward the cost of ensuring the city’s Overflow Shelter has the necessary supplies to serve Nashville’s unhoused and unsheltered residents.
Stephen Francescon, community relations manager for Piedmont and Dr. Cynthia Croom, executive director of the Metropolitan Action Commission will present the donation on behalf of the Share the Warmth program to Renee Pratt, executive director of the Metropolitan Social Services on Thursday, January 16 at 10am at the main office of the Metropolitan Action Commission (800 2nd Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201).
The Metro Overflow Shelter is opened to accept the additional guests who need overnight sheltering when temperatures reach 28 degrees or lower. Metro Action partnered with Piedmont to generate the contribution toward supplies such as blankets, toiletries and food.
Metro Action receives funding from Piedmont’s Share the Warmth program to help Davidson County residents with home utility payments. The agency requested Piedmont’s help to expand its support to keeping unhoused and unsheltered residents warm.
“The city’s overflow shelter provided a safe place for more than 600 people when the temperatures dipped to dangerous levels during the first 11 days of this winter season” said Croom. “Mobilizing resources within our community is one of the founding principles of the Metropolitan Action Commission. We also have a responsibility to all residents of Davidson County to support the health and wellbeing of all.”
“Piedmont Natural Gas has a long history of supporting neighbors in need within our communities,” said Francescon. “One way we do this is our ‘Share the Warmth’ program, offering assistance to those needing help with their energy bills, regardless of their energy provider, through Metro Action. Being able to direct some of Piedmont’s contributions to the overflow shelter, which will help people who do not even have a home and are just trying to stay warm, is a phenomenal feeling.”
“Metro Social Services is so appreciative of this donation that will fund supplies such as blankets, food, toiletries, for our homeless friends who attend the Metro Overflow Shelter,” said Pratt. “We are humbled by the generosity of Piedmont and the consideration of the Metro Action Commission. Without our community partnerships this form of assistance might not exist.”