Give us your tired and poor: 40 years of MetMin

Rebecca Welchel, MetMinճ executive director, addresses a gathered group of clients on their final day of services before closing for the Christmas holiday in December 2015. Rebecca is a long-time veteran of Chattanoogaճ charity service providers.

By David Cook September 29, 2019 4 min read

David Cook

More Info

IF YOU GOWhat: MetMin’s 40th birthday party “Motown ThrowDown” at Songbirds Guitar MuseumWhen: 6-9 p.m. on ThursdayTickets: metmin40.eventbrite.com

Founded in 1979 by the Episcopal Church to help the “poor, homeless, hungry, battered” in Chattanooga, Metropolitan Ministries – or MetMin – turns 40 this year.

Part Sermon on the Mount, part Emma Lazarus, part fiery first responder, the McCallie Avenue nonprofit is our city’s emergency room for the poor – paying overdue and unpayable light bills, rent, bus passes, groceries. When Chattanoogans – thousands of them – must choose between food or medicine or electricity or water, they come to MetMin’s doors.

“Without you, I’d probably be evicted,” said one guest, or client.

“A blessing of relief to keep the electric on in my home,” said another. “[MetMin] made me feel like I was important and not ashamed.”