NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Lost and Found Movement found a home in South Nashville, caring for the homeless population that in their experience, continues to grow.
“People need help,” TJ Buchanan said. “There’s a lot of people every week.”
They occupied that home consistently at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church on Fairview Avenue for 10 months.
“A few days ago, we were told we were no longer welcome on church property anymore,” Karole Burton said. “They don’t want the homeless on church grounds.”
Church leaders claim they’ve dealt with both financial damages as well as trash and human waste since the ministry started. They say it was decision they made because they could no longer afford to deal with the aftermath.
“What prompted me to come out here and do this is that I experienced homelessness myself after an eviction,” founder Jené Buchanan said. “You go through life the best you can without everyone knowing your business, but inside, it breaks you.”
Buchanan says she understands why they can’t operate at the church anymore, but she’s hoping to find another pace to provide help.
“Every weekend I come here, and they have a nice meal, some clothes, the shower bus comes,” one homeless man told us. “Not just for the homeless, but it could be you next. These are good people, and they love me.”
Organizers say they’ve done the entire mission from their own wallets.
“We really haven’t asked for anything,” TJ Buchanan said. “Everything has been out of pocket, everything has been from our heart.”
What they’re in desperate need of now is a place to do their ministry. An open parking lot, or building, where they can make a big impact on those in need.
For more information on the Lost and Found Movement, you can find their website here.
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