Terry Stulce, left, and Tyler Waite construct cardboard box homes during the Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga’s 5th annual Box City Camp Out to Stamp Out Family Homelessness on Saturday at First Tennessee Pavilion in Chattanooga. Participants constructed and slept in cardboard box homes for the evening to benefit the Family Promise programs.Sure, hanging out with friends all night under the First Tennessee Pavilion is fun. But when the early morning hours roll around and the temperature dips into the 30s — that’s when you start to get it.
That’s a taste, just a snapshot of life as a homeless person in Chattanooga. That’s what participants in Saturday night’s Box City Camp Out to Stamp Out Family Homelessness fundraiser showed up for.
Individuals and groups were invited to purchase spots at First Tennessee Pavilion to set up and spend Saturday night in an urban environment as a hint at the reality of being homeless in the city.
“Even though they’re going to have fun tonight, being homeless is not fun,” said Mary Ellen Galloway, executive director of Family Promise of Chattanooga.
The goal for Family Promise was to raise awareness about family homelessness and raise money for its outreach programs, which include a day center and partnerships with area church congregations.