The Bridge, Inc. started with a large pot of Candy Christmas’ homemade Jambalaya, made to help feed a few homeless on the streets of Nashville back in 2004. After seeing that the need was far greater than just one hot meal a week, Candy began to collect clothing and non-perishable food items to pass out to her new friends. 

Since that time, The Bridge, Inc. has grown far larger than Candy could have ever imagined and now exists as a multi-part ministry.

Church Under the Bridge is one of their programs that meets every Tuesday night under the Jefferson Street Bridge and serves 300-500 homeless and under-resourced friends. Everyone receives a hot meal, worship service and items to take with them – food bag, clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags and tents. 

Bridge to Kids is held under the Jefferson Street Bridge as well but also reaches almost 4,000 local school children weekly through weekend food bags. During COVID-19 related school closures, The Bridge, Inc. has served thousands of students through Metro Nashville Public School distribution centers, aftercare programs, and have added four underserved apartment complexes to their weekly deliveries. 

Amid the COVID-19, The Bridge, Inc. has been able to follow CDC guidelines and adapt their distribution methods to strategically serve this vulnerable population. They have not missed a Tuesday night service and have been able to serve many new areas of Nashville.

Because of many community partners, churches, corporations and individuals, The Bridge, Inc. continues to operate each week.  Second Harvest is proud to partner with The Bridge, Inc.!