It seemed as though North Nashville had the world’s attention in the weeks following the March 3 tornado. Large plots of the area were destroyed. Homes and businesses were flattened, trees were torn from the ground and scattered across roads like piles of sticks. The power remained out for several nights of below-freezing weather as Nashville Electric Service struggled to make repairs on many streets blocked by debris.
So when grassroots organization Gideon’s Army put out the call for volunteers and donations, hundreds of helpers flocked to the area to bring food, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, generators, tarps and rope. Others showed up with power tools, rakes and shovels, offering to help remove branches and debris from homes and yards. Community organizing group Hands on Nashville got so many volunteer signups they were turning folks away some days, and, at one point, Gideon’s Army received so many donations they were forced to pause intake so their team could catch up on sorting and distribution. (Gideon’s Army has since used many of those remaining donations to found the pop-up shop Gids City, a by-appointment shopping experience that gives residents in the 37208 ZIP code the opportunity to shop for at no cost for new clothes, shoes and accessories.)
