Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Samaritan’s Grace and other “meal ministries?

Many meal ministries in Chattanooga seek primarily to provide the important service of food for those in need, Samaritan’s Grace uses the service of good meals to establish a relationship between the Person In Need and our Innkeepers.

Are there other services offered (housing, health care, etc.)?

Samaritan’s Grace collaborates and networks with many different agencies. Our Innkeepers (mentors) will connect clients with the appropriate agencies or organization/s that can best help them with their most relevant need.

Does Samaritan’s Grace work only with individuals or can whole families participate?

How can I become involved with Samaritan’s Grace?

We work with families as well as individuals.

You can make a difference in several ways: By giving meal vouchers to folks in need, donating to the ministry and by praying that God will use Samaritan’s Grace to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need in Chattanooga.

Are the homeless clients tested for Covid-19 before being accepted into the program or into the restaurant?

How do I know I’m safe in dealing with clients?

The most common cause of homelessness is mental illness, what is Samaritan’s Grace doing about that?

What do we do if a homeless “camp” settles at my business?

What are the boundaries of legal and illegal behavior in Chattanooga?

How will “pan-handling” be monitored or controlled in and around Grace Cafe?

Who are the Good Samaritans?

How does someone obtain meal vouchers?

Are the meal vouchers free, or, is there a cost, if so, how much?

Do the vouchers have an expiration date?

Is Samaritan’s Grace a non-profit organization?

What information am I required to provide to become involved?

We will follow the safety procedures established by the CDC and the Hamilton County Health Department.  We are committed to following procedures which provide a safe environment for our clients as well as our staff and volunteers.

Our team is trained in safety measures and committed to providing a safe environment for everyone involved in the ministry. Safety is also maintained by the effective communication process we provide between between Good Samaritans, People In Need and the Innkeepers.

We collaborate and network with many different agencies, many of which offer assistance with mental, emotional, psychological and addiction issues. Our mentors will strive to help clients connect with organizations that can best help them with their specific needs.

The City of Chattanooga has restrictions about where homeless "camps" can be established. We work with city and county officials to encourage clients to seek placement in one of the local housing programs.

City and county officials have established safe boundaries for appropriate public behavior. Samaritan’s Grace will strive to assist clients to live safely and comfortably within those guidelines.

Pan-handling is illegal in Chattanooga. Our staff, volunteers and security personnel will strive to ensure that there is no pan-handling in the area. Samaritan's Grace will provide individualized and focused help to people in need, thereby reducing the amount of pan-handling in Chattanooga.

Good Samaritans, in the Samaritan's Grace context, are people who give meal vouchers to those in need primarily in downtown Chattanooga. Though a Good Samaritan is primarily someone who works downtown, it could be anyone who obtains a voucher to give to someone in the Chattanooga area.

A Good Samaritan gives a voucher to someone in need, anywhere in the greater Chattanooga area. Vouchers are obtained by Good Samaritans from Samaritan's Grace.

The vouchers are free to the recipient. The vouchers are redeemable for lunches at various locations throughout the community.

Initially the vouchers will be good for 30 days, but we will re-evaluate that as the ministry progresses.

While we wait on the process to receive our own 501(c)(3) from the IRS, we have received non-profit status through The Generosity Trust, which is good through 2022. 100% of funds given on behalf of Samaritan’s Grace go directly to the ministry of Samaritan's Grace.

If you want to donate, you will provide the information needed to make a tax-deductible donation to The Generosity Trust of behalf of Samaritan’s Grace. If you want to give out vouchers, you can provide your text or email information so we can provide you with feedback regarding the Person in Need to whom you give a voucher.