About Us

Room in the Inn Shoals, Inc. began in 2013 with two moms, Krista Manchester and Beth Howard, who saw a need in their community and decided to do something about it.  They started by creating a warming center at a local church. Through their own unexpected circumstances, both women had met homeless people who were sleeping in parks, on stoops, and behind trash dumpsters during one of the coldest winters in the Shoals.  As two moms with children of their own, they couldn't sleep at night knowing their new friends might freeze to death- so they decided to do something about it.

 

After 10 winters, Room in the Inn Shoals has grown into a large and thriving community effort. Together we have provided shelter to over 800 individuals, provided thousands of meals and helped almost 250 people find jobs and housing. Over 40 churches of all denominations partner with us, along with hundreds of individual volunteers each year. We have kindergarten students, nursing home residents, college fraternities and sororities, FCCLA and FBLA Groups, football teams, local businesses and organizations, families and church groups who donate supplies, help volunteer, and support us each year.

 

We are entirely privately funded - primarily from local individuals, businesses and church donations. We do not take any state or local funding so that we can provide our resources to anyone in need without restrictions. 

 

We are so grateful and we are hopeful for what the future may bring. 

 

Room in the Inn Shoals, Inc. is a local, 501c3, non-profit organization, operating under one local, community leadership Executive Director and Board of Directors.  Our organization consists of two separate but equal programs: The Room in the Inn Homeless Shelter program and the Room at the Table Community Hunger program.