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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Cook: Let’s turn 20,000 meals into 2,000 coats, blankets and gloves

Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Troy Rogers, left, and Tony Oliver pass out bagged lunches on the Westside on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Troy Rogers, left, and Tony Oliver pass out bagged lunches on the Westside on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Troy Rogers, left, and Tony Oliver pass out bagged lunches on the Westside on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

When the pandemic began, Troy Rogers and Tony Oliver bought $100 worth of Walmart groceries and began feeding people across the city.

“During a bad time, we wanted them to know there are people who care,” Rogers said.

“It became contagious,” Oliver said.

Soon, they began serving five or six days a week; 100 meals became 1,000. Many of you got involved. Rogers, the city’s public safety coordinator, and Oliver, owner of TNT Cleaning Services, created a network of friends and strangers. You sent donations; others helped prepare food.

And 1,000 meals became 10,000.