The Reachout Lookout Story
Bryce Lindeman is a high school student who lives on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee and loves to volunteer during his free time. He has a passion for helping those in need. When he began to notice an increase in homelessness in the Chattanooga area, he wondered how he could help. Bryce knows his mom hates throwing out food and wondered if there was a way to collect leftover and unused food from Lookout Mountain residents and deliver it to homeless tent communities around town.
After doing some initial research, Bryce realized delivering leftover food to the homeless presented some real challenges. For example, how would he fairly distribute the food he collected? Are there local health codes that would prevent him from giving food to the homeless?
To learn more about creating a food delivery program to serve area homeless, Bryce contacted Trish King, volunteer and church relations coordinator, at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. Trish shared that the Chattanooga Community Kitchen maintains a monthly list of needs and serves three meals a day to the homeless. It also operates a shelter for children and families. As Bryce asked what he could do to help fulfill the organization’s mission, Trish excitedly told him that it would be great to have assistance raising awareness and collecting the monthly needed items. She also said the Chattanooga Community Kitchen would love to have volunteers work with children at the shelter.
After talking with Trish, Bryce decided the best way to help those in need was partnering with the Chattanooga Community Kitchen since it already has programs that serve Chattanooga’s homeless and others in need. He knew Lookout Mountain residents would be generous once they learned about the program. But after talking to his mom, he also realized some residents may want to help but may not have time to run to the store and purchase needed items.
To promote how Lookout Mountain residents could support those in need in the community, Bryce decided to create a website. On the website, he would list the items needed and arrange to pick them up and deliver them to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. For those Lookout Mountain residents who wanted to help but did not have the items on hand, they could purchase them through the website and Bryce would buy them on their behalf and then deliver them. Thus, was born Reachout Lookout in December 2020.
A Message From Bryce
Hello, I’m Bryce Lindeman, a high school student, class of 2022, at the McCallie School in Chattanooga. Over the past few summers, I have volunteered with several animal shelters and have played field games such as kickball with children at the Church of the First Born. During the school year, I play lacrosse on my school team. I love to travel to new places and experience new cultures. I also play the guitar and enjoy exercising.
I love living on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee and thank you for your interest in Reachout Lookout. If you are interested in supporting the Chattanooga Community Kitchen through Reachout Lookout, please get in touch.