Channel 2's Report On Candy Christmas's Tuesday Night Food Service At Jefferson St Bridge

Sorry for the delay in getting this onto the site but I've been so busy with my own efforts in this and other things occurring at the bridge that I just now got around to searching their site for the piece. I would point out that the story below has misinformed viewers/readers in one area; the gentlemen in the video do not live under the Jefferson Street bridge. The homeless campsites that did exist there were bulldozed and tossed into the river about two weeks ago.

[October 2, 2007, 3:45 pm]

"Health Dept: Ministry Can Continue Homeless Food Operation"

A Nashville ministry that serves up meals to the homeless can continue doing so. Last week, the Metro Health Department made the Bridge Ministry stop serving food over safety concerns. Now, the ministry has found a way to carry out its mission. Up until last week, every Tuesday night, for the last three years, the Bridge Ministry has served up a hot meal to Nashville’s homeless underneath the Jefferson Street Bridge. More than 300 of the city’s homeless show up each week to get feed. “It’s like a family reunion type thing,” said one man. Perry Champion said, “It’s a......blessing... You get music, you always get a message.” Last Tuesday, some worried the meal may be their last after the Metro Health Department and police showed up and made the ministry stop serving food due to safety concerns. Tuesday, Metro health officials toured the Bridge Ministry warehouse and said the organization could keep feeding the homeless. Volunteers must take a food safety course and they must cook all food on site and check the temperature before it’s served. Jerry Rowland with the Metro Health Department said, “I really believe they're gonna try to do the right thing." KentChristmas founded the Bridge Ministry. He said he is happy to follow those rules if it means his ministry can continue its work. Christmas said, “We give these people a different perspective on life and tell them there's hope and they stand under that bridge and we tell them we love them and care about them and we hug them and give them food." The Bridge Ministry will serve the homeless Tuesday night at 6 p.m. It has borrowed a mobile kitchen to ensure the safety of the food. The ministry hopes to eventually buy one of its own. Previous Stories : Oct. 1, 2007: Ministry's Homeless Food Operation Concerns Health Dept. - Sept. 27, 2007: Health Dept. Temporarily Halts Homeless Food Operation