Charis Ministries
When Grace Comes to Your Door
At St. Bartholomew, our Mission & Outreach (M&O) ministry believes that sometimes the most powerful witness happens not in grand gestures, but in the quiet act of showing up when someone needs you most. That belief finds its perfect expression through our partnership with Charis Ministries, a Nashville organization that has spent over twenty years operating on a beautifully simple principle: "Delivering the gospel with a box of food." While most food assistance requires people to come to a location during specific hours, Charis recognizes that some of our most vulnerable neighbors simply cannot make that journey.
Meeting People Where They Are
Charis Ministries fills a critical gap in Nashville's food assistance network by serving those who cannot access traditional food banks due to transportation barriers, health challenges, or caregiving responsibilities. When someone calls their hotline at 615-373-1261 before Friday at noon, Christian volunteers from local churches respond by delivering boxes of essential groceries directly to their homes on Saturdays.
Their approach is deeply personal and intentionally small-scale. Rather than serving thousands, Charis helps hundreds of families annually, focusing on those who are "distant from help, one home at a time." Volunteers don't just drop off food and leave; they offer genuine encouragement, prayer when welcomed, and the simple but profound gift of human connection to people who often feel forgotten or isolated.
This is Matthew 25:35 in action: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."
Why This Matters to Us
Charis serves Nashville's most vulnerable populations: elderly residents who can no longer drive, people recovering from illness or surgery, single parents without reliable transportation, and individuals with disabilities. Their ministry operates every week of the year, providing consistent support during times when other resources may be unavailable. Each delivery represents what they call "an imitation of the compassion of Christ," offering basic groceries alongside genuine care to those who are otherwise out of reach.
Charis Ministries' Impact:
Over 20 years of faithful home delivery service
Weekly food deliveries 52 weeks per year
Serves hundreds of Nashville's most isolated residents annually
In 2020: delivered 532 food boxes serving over 1,000 people
Half of the recipients are children or seniors
Church-based volunteer network providing personal connection
How St. B's Members Can Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
Food Delivery: Join Christian volunteers in delivering grocery boxes directly to homes on Saturdays
Prayer and Encouragement: Offer genuine care and spiritual support alongside practical assistance
Church Partnership: Help coordinate deliveries and volunteer teams from St. B's
Transportation Ministry: Use your vehicle to reach families who cannot access other food resources
Financial Partnership
Direct Support: Donations help purchase food boxes and support operational needs
Ongoing Giving: Regular contributions enable consistent weekly service throughout the year
Emergency Response: Special support during natural disasters or crisis situations
Referral and Awareness
Community Connections: Help identify neighbors who might benefit from home delivery service
Resource Sharing: Spread awareness about this unique ministry to those who might need it
Application Assistance: Help neighbors call 615-373-1261 before Friday deadlines
