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Kingsport Nonprofit Provides Warmth and Meals to Over 200 People
The Table of Kingsport expands hours to offer daytime shelter during extreme cold snap
Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:39pm
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In Kingsport, Tennessee, the nonprofit organization The Table of Kingsport has seen a surge in visitors seeking warmth and meals as freezing temperatures settled over the region. The nonprofit, which typically only opens on Monday nights for a weekly community dinner, expanded its hours to provide daytime shelter, with over 200 people passing through the doors between Saturday and Monday.
Why it matters
The Table of Kingsport plays a vital role in the community by providing a warm, safe space and meals for those in need, especially during extreme weather conditions when other shelters may have capacity restrictions or identification requirements that prevent some individuals from accessing their services.
The details
The Table's warming center is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Saturday, providing daytime shelter during the cold snap. By Monday afternoon, more than 75 people had already passed through the building, and by the end of the day, including weekend traffic and the nonprofit's weekly community dinner, founder Melissa Malcolm estimated that more than 200 people had been fed and served over a three-day period. The nonprofit operates entirely on donations and volunteers, and Malcolm said the expanded daytime hours are possible in large part because of the people who use the space themselves, with over half of the people working there being homeless.
- The Table of Kingsport typically only opens on Monday nights for a weekly community dinner.
- The nonprofit expanded its hours to provide daytime shelter during the extreme cold snap, with the warming center open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Saturday.
- By Monday afternoon, more than 75 people had already passed through the building.
- By the end of Monday, including weekend traffic and the nonprofit's weekly community dinner, more than 200 people had been fed and served over a three-day period.
The players
The Table of Kingsport
A nonprofit organization in Kingsport, Tennessee that provides a warm, safe space and meals for those in need, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Melissa Malcolm
The founder of The Table of Kingsport.
Salvation Army
An overnight shelter in Kingsport that requires some form of identification for access, which can be a barrier for some individuals.
Grace House
A 40-bed shelter in Kingsport that serves men and women but requires proof of a Kingsport address for overnight stays.
Jeff Kiser
The founder of The Shepherd's Watch Ministries' warming shelter bus, which provides transportation and overnight shelter for some individuals who cannot access other shelters.
What they’re saying
“We're on plan C for lunch. We've gone from breakfast casseroles to muffins, bagels, hot dogs, soup, and then chicken and fries. And we're still serving dinner tonight.”
— Melissa Malcolm, Founder of The Table of Kingsport
“Over half the people working today are homeless. They're washing dishes, keeping the door safe, helping however they can.”
— Melissa Malcolm, Founder of The Table of Kingsport
“Because we work with children and must check the sex offender registry, some form of ID must be provided, whether it's the actual ID, a physical or digital copy, or HMIS or police verification. We try every avenue we can to ID the person.”
— Capt. Crystal Radi, Salvation Army
What’s next
The Table of Kingsport's warming shelter will remain open through Saturday to continue providing a warm, safe space and meals for those in need during the extreme cold snap.
The takeaway
The Table of Kingsport's ability to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for those seeking shelter and sustenance, regardless of their circumstances or ability to provide identification, highlights the importance of community-based organizations in addressing the complex challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, especially during extreme weather events.
