New Building for Hunger First

One woman.... One Vision.... One Dream.... Cindy Risk founded Hungers First in 1996. A place that would help EVERYONE. No judgment at all. She wanted to educate, empower the low-income, no income and the homeless. Unfortunately Cindy did not get to carry out that dream. In 2014 Cindy was involved in a car accident that took her life. BUT NOT HER DREAM! Immediately without any hesitation Cindy's son Michael Gillis stepped up ... He took over Hungers First, to make for sure her dreams were achieved and he even sae a BIGGER picture for this non-profit organization.

I relocated to Tennessee in October 2017 to stay at The Salvation Army. I was introduced to Hungers First my first week here, They have no judgment. The love you feel when you walk thru the doors is REAL. Genuine concern for your wellbeing, It was an INSTANT FAMILY for me.

In November the volunteers gave up their Thanksgiving to cook and serve us. Making sure we all felt the love , and not one person LEFT HUNGRY. Everyone left feeling loved and cared about, and mist certainly blessed. in December they help parents with Christmas presents. They also help with School supplies at the beginning and during school. Not to mention that Monday-Friday the Hunger First store is open. This store offers clothing, shoes, hygiene, blankets, pillows, toys, books, household décor, knick knacks and much much more. EVERYTHING is 100% FREE!! The food pantry offers food anytime needed, not just once a month, if you need weekly help with groceries... THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN!!!

Mike Gillis with no hesitation took over his mothers dream. His mothers vision once a food pantry has grown. We now have " Cindy's Corner " which is a shelter open 24/7 to give an opportunity of rest to ALL those in need. They assist with appointments, rides, obtaining drivers license, birth certificates and Social Security Cards, Internet access, counseling, hot meals, housing and so much more. More than 50 homeless comes thru Cindy's Corner daily. More than 25 families to get groceries weekly. Over a hundred hot meals served on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Only God could tell you exactly how many come thru the store doors daily. Everything at Hungers First is received thru donation.

Today I am a volunteer at Hungers First. I remember ALL those who helped me and loved me... even when I didn't love myself. Mike Gillis makes sure he tells us he loves us. You know its sincere and honest. He can see the potential in us all. He spends 98% of his life doing for others. I have witnessed this man take from his own pocket when the donations didn't come in. In January 2020... they tried to shut him down, cause he let the homeless stay overnight in the facility , during the winter. They hit him with citations and a general nuisance ticket, for lack of sprinklers, said it was a fire code. The general nuisance was because he let homeless sleep on the porch of Hungers First. Cindy's Corner did not back down. Mike Gillis will fight head to head for the homeless. He got the sprinklers put in.... HE IS NOT GOING TO BE SHUTDOWN!!!

Now we are looking at going back to the streets once again, back to alleyways, boxes and tents. We shouldn't have to worry about the cold temperatures and where they are going to lay their heads at night. Hungers First is a safe haven for many. This isn't just a shelter.... this is where many call HOME. We are a FAMILY. If these doors close... there will be many...many..... left out in the cold. The building we are currently in , our lease is up in March. We needed $94,000 by the 28th of Sept. to purchase the building ( not even given a thirty day notice for this ) . WE HAVE FOUND ANOTHER BUILDING!!! A building large enough to house, feed, supply groceries and continue our store. The place needs hardly any work at all, except for bunk beds being put together. The plans to keep our current building didn't go as we had hoped, but GODS GOT A BIGGER PICTURE FOR HUNGERS FIRST.

The building is $214,000 . THIS IS WHERE WE NEED ALL OF YOUR HELP. If you could find in your hearts to help us.... help Mike... to keep his mothers dream and vision ALIVE. Please reach into your pockets and hearts and donate whatever you can. ANY AMOUNT will help, and be GREATLY APPRECIATED, Please forward this link to EVERYONE you know family, friends, church's etc..... Please forward to anyone that you think would be willing to help. I will leave you with this: The signs on the windows at Hungers First read..... " I am human too " , " Help them! not Hurt them! " , " Be the voice, not an echo ", " I have value " , " Love and Kindness are free, give it always " .

Thank you and God Bless!