Ole South donates a million dollars to Nashville area nonprofits to mark milestone sales

Ole South

donates $1 million to Nashville area nonprofits to mark milestone sales

Bill Lewis Special to Nashville Tennessean, USA TODAY NETWORK newsrooms in Tennessee

For more than 1,000 home buyers across the Nashville region, their newly built home’s benefits extend far beyond the front door. Their home helps keep first responders safe, provides healthy meals to people with medical needs or food insecurity and gives back to the community in other ways.

Those 1,000-plus home buyers purchased a home in the past year from Ole South, the largest privately owned home builder in Tennessee. The company is marking that milestone with gifts totaling more than $1 million to nonprofits across the Nashville region.

“During the pandemic, Ole South was able to continue building and selling homes and we know others were not as fortunate. We chose to give back to the community through many nonprofit organizations that continue to make a vital difference in these uncertain times,” said John Floyd, president and founder of Ole South.

Box 55 supports first responders

Giving back to the community might mean providing a cool drink of water, a meal or other services for firefighters and other first responders on the scene of emergency calls.

That’s the mission of the Box 55 Association, whose volunteers and specially equipped vehicles arrive regardless of the weather or time of day, primarily in Davidson County.

“We respond 24/7, 365,” said Rick Short, the organization’s treasurer.

After the Christmas morning bombing in downtown Nashville, Box 55’s volunteers were on the scene for 17 days. Volunteers from Wilson County assisted.

“We served almost 17,000 meals,” said Short. “The tornado a year ago was another long response.”

First responders on the scene of an emergency can’t leave for a lunch or dinner break or even to get a drink of water. Private donations enable Box 55 Association to provide essential services that taxpayers would otherwise have to pay for.

The organization’s two vehicles are stocked with first-aid supplies, commercial coffee pots, misting fans for cooling, heaters and essentials like water and Gatorade. Last year volunteers responded to a call almost every day.

“People who have a heart to give back. That’s what we do. Everything we do and provide is by donations. It’s all about first responders’ health and safety,” said Short.

Food Pharmacy provides healthy meals

The Food Pharmacy at Nashville General Hospital will use Ole South’s donation to provide meals for medical patients who otherwise would not have access to healthy foods. The program also provides healthy foods to households experiencing food insecurity.

Last year the Food Pharmacy provided more than 200,000 meals. After the March 3 tornado, the Metro Nashville Police Department helped by delivering food that prevented hunger in some devastated Nashville neighborhoods.

“If you look from the standpoint that food is medicine, which is what we do, it’s about providing foods that would fit into a recommended diet,” said Vernon Rose, the Food Pharmacy’s executive director.

The hospital’s Food Pharmacy makes sure patients have access to fresh produce and other foods appropriate for their medical condition. Someone with high blood pressure might need a low-sodium diet, for example.

Patients with food insecurity are given a prescription for certain foods, which they fill at the Food Pharmacy at no cost.

Ole South “came to us and said, ‘What do you need?’ They stepped up,” said Rose.

“We want a healthier community. We absolutely have to have better access” to nutritious foods, she said.

Greenhouse Ministries will use Ole South’s donation to meet a growing need for its services. The Murfreesboro-based nonprofit provides food, clothing and necessities as well as counseling, adult education, housing and job placement assistance.

Box 55 Volunteers offer service for firefighters and other first responders on the scene of emergency calls.

Courtesy of Box 55

Nashville General Hospital Foundation

“During COVID, we saw 800 clients who had never sought services before. It was a very tangible impact,” said CEO Phillip Street.

Last Thanksgiving, Greenhouse Ministries provided 1,500 meals, three times the number of an ordinary year. Last June, volunteers distributed 2,000 fresh food boxes, he said.

“Our mission is to inspire, give hope and change lives,” said Street.