Thanksgiving got ya in the giving spirit? Here are some Chattanooga organizations — aka, we’re highlighting a few, certainly not all — to show a little love to this holiday season.
Volunteer by providing Thanksgiving meals to those experiencing homelessness | Photo via Union Gospel Mission
Community Fridge
- Mission: “...to help whoever is facing food insecurity by providing easy access to fresh produce...”
- Current Operations: In addition to its original location by the St. Andrews Center, Chattanooga Community Fridge recently opened its second fridge in Clifton Hills (3300 Brannon Ave.). You can donate your time by shopping + performing wellness checks, or donate money, either directly through Venmo or through fundraising. Either way, check their Instagram for details.
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga
- Mission: “...to inspire and equip all girls to be strong, smart and bold leaders…”
- Current Operations: Girls Inc. wrapped up its GirlCARE Fall Break camp last month — teaching campers about mental + emotional health — with plans for Spring Break camp in April. Girls Inc. is opening its 60th Anniversary Auction this Sunday, and Flying Squirrel will be donating a portion of its sales to Girls Inc. on Giving Tuesday. Plus, donations of up to $5,000 to the nonprofit will be matched.
St. Alexius Outreach
- Mission: “To alleviate isolation and loneliness through friendship and supportive services.”
- Current Operations: St. Alexius’ programs revolve around serving vulnerable + isolated adults, offering individual support through their Hospitality At Home, More Than Food, and Mobile Delivery programs. If you’re looking for a way to use your own skills on your own time frame, these programs always need help.
Union Gospel Mission
- Mission: “...has been helping the homeless community in Chattanooga and the Tri-State area for over 70 years...”
- Current Operations: On Nov. 24, UGM is serving Thanksgiving meals to those experiencing homelessness from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Volunteers are needed to pack dinners earlier that day at the Union Gospel Mission + later to distribute the food at the Bessie Smith Center.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your family who volunteers every holiday season, your friend who's looking for ways to give back, and anyone else in the giving mood.
Today
- Beastly Feast | Fri., Nov. 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. | $12+ | Learn about the eating habits of carnivorous animals, plus a snack cart for you + beer and wine bar. 🐯
- 12th Annual Guns and Hoses | Fri., Nov. 16 | 6:30-11 p.m. | Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy. | $15+ | This boxing match features local law enforcement officers against local firefighters + EMS personnel, with proceeds benefiting the YCAP Boxing Club and Forgotten Child Fund. 🥊
- Annual Holiday Art Portfolio Show & Sale | Fri., Nov. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | Townsend Atelier, 301 East 11th St. | Free | 13 local Chattanooga artists will gather sketches, paintings, prints and more from their studios to sell, priced for everyone’s wallet (masks required).
Saturday
- Sugar Plum's Tea Party | Sat., Nov. 20 | 10 a.m. | Arts Avenue, 1800 Rossville Ave. | $20 | Experience an interactive mini Nutcracker performance, complete with tea, treats, and table greetings from the cast. 🫖
- Plant Swap + Shop | Sat., Nov. 20 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Botanica Plant Shop, 1010 Market St. | Price of purchase | Bring in a plant or cutting to swap with others + shop at the store. 🪴
- East Ridge Christmas Parade | Sat., Nov. 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Beginning at Germantown Road | Free | East Ridge will kick off the holiday season with this outdoor Christmas parade. 🛷
- Lookout Holiday Market | Sat., Nov. 20 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 901 Scenic Hwy. | Free+ | Shop from over 25 vendors with artwork, jewelry, skincare, pottery, and more across from Café on the Corner.
Sunday
- Holiday Market | Sun., Nov. 21 | Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. | Price of purchase | Check out talented, local artists at Hutton & Smith’s beer garden, open to all ages.
Monday
- Cranberry Jam: Food Drive and Concert | Mon., Nov. 22 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. | Bring non-perishable food, canned food items, and unopened cutlery packs to donate to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen + enjoy live Motown music by Love, Peace & Happiness. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 53º | Sunny | 1% chance of rain ☀️
Development
- The City of Chattanooga is planning to set up a sanctioned, managed campsite for people experiencing homelessness on 12th Street, following the rise in local unsheltered individuals over the past year. The campsite will have 120 tents and access to bathrooms, support services, and meals provided by Community Kitchen. (WRCB)
Cause
- Project Return — a Nashville-based nonprofit dedicated to helping people successfully return to the community after incarceration — recently expanded its operations and opened a new office in Chattanooga. In 2021, Project Return program participants have an 82% job acquisition rate and a 13% recidivism rate.
Community
- The Chattanooga Public Library reopened its Avondale Library Branch yesterday after being closed to the public since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Operating Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., the library features 2,000 books for all age groups, public computers, classrooms + more. 📕(Chattanoogan.com)
Health
- CHI Memorial is moving forward with plans to build a new hospital in Ringgold, Georgia. Groundbreaking is set for early summer 2022, with a targeted completion date of mid-2024. The new hospital will replace the health system's current, nearly 70-year-old facility. 🏥 (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
State
- The state’s MyTN mobile app has added new services for its users, allowing customers to file + check the status of appeals for Tennessee Department of Human Services programs. The new features are said to be especially helpful for applicants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Families First program. (The Pulse)
Edu
- The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga has launched the National Achievers Society development program to prepare high school students of color for college + future careers. This academic and leadership program helps Hamilton County students remain motivated and involved in the community.
Holiday
- The Chattanooga Public Library Foundation recently began its Holiday Giving Campaign to help support programming at the Chattanooga Public Library. This fundraising program will run through January 2022.
Noogan
- Local lawyer, producer, and philanthropist Juanita Ingram was awarded the NAACP Image Award by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP at the annual Ruby Hurley Image Awards. Ingram created “THE EXPATS,” a show detailing her family’s travels abroad — available for streaming on Amazon Prime. (The Pulse)
Stat
- 55%. The discount the No. 1 language learning app, Babbel, is offering for a limited time, so subscribers can discover new worlds through language in as little as 3 weeks. Snag the deal. 🌏 Ⓟ
Tonight is opening night at Ice on the Landing. ⛸️
From 6-11 p.m., enjoy outdoor skating under the open sky in the gardens of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Skate rentals are included with the $12 skating fee ($8 for the kiddos), plus you can look forward to live music by organist Buddy Shire + prize giveaways throughout the evening.
While you’re there, check out the Choo Choo that’s already decorated beautifully for the holidays. 🎄
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NOOGA Current: What we're reading...
Brianna here, and because things have been somewhat hectic lately, I've been in a bit of reading rut. I'm hoping that the Thanksgiving holiday will give me some time to catch up on books I've been falling behind on — specifically, Stephen King's "Duma Key," a novel that is absolutely intriguing, but I haven't been able to finish for months (like really does get in the way sometimes, huh?).
Dayten here, and I finally got the chance to pick through my bookshelf for some gems I never got around to. This week I found "Superintelligence" by Nick Bostrom, a book all about the superintelligence control problem, or what happens if (and when) AI surpasses human intelligence. Not exactly breezy, but great in that existential techno-dread type of way.
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