Room In the Inn

Room In the Inn is beginning to serve and lend a helping hand to the homeless population of Lexington, Kentucky. Father Charles Strobel initiated the program with four Nashville, TN  churches in 1986. Over 156 other Nashville churches are participating this year! First Church along with other local churches will provide critical shelter and meals during the winter months.

During the winter months, our program will be critical in protecting homeless individuals and families from the bitter cold. From November through March, congregations will provide beds, meals, snacks, and transportation. This service could not be provided without the compassion of volunteers who will contribute countless hours of work.

First Church  will host between 12-14 guests in the fellowship hall for dinner and Rokeby Hall for sleeping every Monday night from November to March. We provide each guest with transportation to the church, a hot meal, fellowship and a warm bed to sleep. In the morning, we provide breakfast, a sack lunch and transportation to the drop off location.  

The Room In the Inn program at First Church is looking for volunteers to serve as overnight Innkeepers, providers for dinners, breakfasts and lunches as well as people to help with transportation and laundry. We are recruiting 20 team captains that will recruit their team of volunteers. If you are interested sharing your talents and services in any area, please contact Kelly Svec at (859) 277-6437 or Stephanie Wingate at (859) 271-6511.  

What Happens on Monday Evenings?
Each Monday evening from November to March, we will open our doors and hearts to 12 to 14 homeless people. The evening schedule is:

5:30 p.m. Volunteers set up mattresses and linens
6:00 p.m. Dinner volunteers prepare food.
Dining tables are set for dinner.
Towels and toiletries are provided and set in bathrooms.

6:45 p.m. Transportation Volunteers pick up our guests.

7:00 p.m. The guests arrive.
The blessing is said, dinner and beverages are served and fellowship is shared by volunteers and guests.

8:00 p.m. Dinner volunteers clean the kitchen.
The guests watch a movie, read or play games.
Lights out for our guests at 10:00 p.m. .  

Tuesday
5:30 a.m. Light breakfast is served.

Transportation volunteers arrive to transport guest to the drop off location.
Innkeepers clean up.  

Many Opportunities to Serve! Choose what your heart or schedule will allow!
Innkeeper-Staying overnight
Two or three volunteers are needed to spend the night with our guests. The innkeepers ensure the security and safety of our guests and the church. They may also assist in transporting the guest to the drop off location on Tuesday morning. Innkeepers arrive on Monday evening at 6:45 p.m. and leave around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Transportation
Evening - Volunteers meet at First Church at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening to drive and transport guest to the church. Volunteers will use the church van to transport the guests.

Morning - Volunteers meet at Rokeby Hall at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday morning to return guests.

Food
Dinner - Individual volunteers or groups bring prepared meal. The kitchen at First Church has a refrigerator, stove and two ovens. Meals should include meat, side dishes, bread, dessert and beverages.

Lunch - Individual volunteers or groups to bring 12 - 14 prepared sack lunches. The lunches should include two sandwiches, fruit, dessert, snack and one drink. The sack lunches may be brought on Monday evening and kept in the refrigerator.

Breakfast - Individual volunteers or groups supply light breakfast items. This could include juice, milk, cereal and a sweet pastry.

Laundry
Laundry Volunteers provide laundry services for the linens and towels used by the guests. The volunteer collects, washes, dries and delivers the sheets and towels to First Church each week.

Hospitality
Hospitality Volunteers will assist with the set up and clean up for the evening. They will also offer fellowship to our guests.

Contributions
Donations can be made to assist the Room In the Inn program. We will be purchasing bedding and supplies, towels, toiletry items, etc. Checks should be made payable to First United Methodist Church. Please specify that your donation is for the Room In the Inn program and deliver or mail it to the church office or place it in the offering plate.