Winter Shelter

Room In The Inn’s Winter Shelter program runs from November through March each year, in coordination with over 100 congregations throughout Middle Tennessee. The program provides safe shelter, warm meals, and fellowship for our neighbors struggling with homelessness during the coldest months of the year. In the 2023-24 season, congregations provided more than 15,000 beds.

If You Need Shelter

We will do our best to accommodate everyone who needs a place to stay. However, space is limited and we may need to provide information about alternative shelter programs.

Anyone seeking shelter should come to our downtown campus (705 Drexel Street) and speak to a staff member for instructions. The Room In The Inn Campus is open Monday - Friday, 6a - 3p.

‍All guests must attend orientation in order to be eligible for shelter.

Getting Involved

Each congregation that participates in the Winter Shelter program coordinates its own volunteers, meals, and additional services. To serve Room In The Inn guests at your congregation, connect with your congregation's Winter Shelter coordinators.

If your congregation is interested in participating in our Winter Shelter program, see the New Congregation Packet and sign-up sheet below.

If you are interested in volunteering at our downtown campus to help facilitate the Winter Shelter during the evening, contact our volunteer team.

For more questions about Winter Shelter at Room In The Inn, contact out Winter Shelter team at shelter@roomintheinn.org.

Did You Know?

Room In The Inn began in 1986 when founding director Charles Strobel, a priest at the time, offered peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to those in need gathered near his East Nashville church.

Today, over 100 congregations representing many faith traditions engage in this ministry, providing overnight shelter and hospitality, inspired by God’s love.

The concept has become a model for programs in 36 other cities, from Calgary, Canada, to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Additional Resources

New Participant Orientation Video   WATCH

New Congregation Info Pack   DOWNLOAD PDF

Current Congregation Registration Form   DOWNLOAD PDF

The Room In The Inn Story, by Charles Strobel  Download PDF

New Participant Orientation Video

Watch Video

Winter Shelter Congregational Handbook

DOWNLOAD PDF

Contact the Winter Shelter Team

SEND EMAIL

Crossroads of Life or Death: A Documentary

Watch Video