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Media

Press inquiries:

If you are interested in featuring Open Table Nashville, please contact Cal Stacey at cal@opentablenashville.org.

Recent Press

WKRN - Local on 2

Downtown Nashville could see new surveillance tech after $15M state grant

$15 million in funding may be awarded to the Nashville Downtown Partnership, bringing increased surveillance technology to Downtown Nashville. Open Table Nashville's India Pungarcher describes how increased surveillance would make downtown a less welcoming and respectful environment, especially for those who are unhoused.

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NEXSTAR MEDIA INC

The Tennessean

Why privatizing surveillance is the wrong move for Nashville

If the Metro Council votes to hand $15M to the Nashville Downtown Partnership to conduct surveillance downtown on Dec. 4, it will have bypassed transparency and violated public trust. Open Table Nashville board member Farhang Heydari explains how Nashville's most vulnerable residents' needs are being overlooked.

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KIRSTEN FISCUS / THE TENNESSEAN

The Contributor

Remembering Old Tent City

Open Table Nashville co-founder Lindsey Krinks remembers her experiences of working with and journeying alongside residents of Old Tent City and explores the history of the camp before its closure in June 2025.

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ANDREOS CHUNACO

Nashville Banner

With Downtown Library Still Closed After Fire, Unhoused Nashvillians Search Elsewhere for Air Conditioning, Computer Access

In the case of a library closure, unhoused people take the biggest hit, especially in the summer, as OTN Executive Director Allie Wallace explains in this article.

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MARTIN B. CHERRY / NASHVILLE BANNER

Nashville Scene

Street View: Downtown Homelessness and a New Business Improvement District

New legislation expands the Central Business Improvement District to cover the Gulch. Homeless service providers, including Open Table Nashville, are concerned.

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ANGELINA CASTILLO

The Tennessean

Nashville has a housing crisis. Shutting down homeless encampments worsens it.

Open Table Nashville co-founder and Director of Advocacy Lindsey Krinks pens this op-ed in the wake of Old Tent City residents receiving 60 day eviction notices.

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LINDSEY KRINKS

Fox 17 News

Tennessee's homeless face eviction as new bill mandates camp removal within 30 days

Under a bill passed by the State Senate, TDOT would be required to work with local governments to close camps on its property within 30 days of civilian complaints. Lindsey Krinks of Open Table Nashville points out the problems with this legislation and how difficult it will be for people to obtain alternative shelter or housing within that 30 day period.

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FOX 17 NEWS

Nashville Banner

Discord over felony camping arrests in Nashville

In late 2024, 11 arrests were made in Downtown Nashville under Tennessee's felony anti-camping law. Open Table Nashville decries these arrests, stating that they are cruel and ineffective.

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MARTIN B. CHERRY / NASHVILLE BANNER

Nashville Scene

Statewide Coalition Brings Worsening Housing Crisis to Capitol

On February 18th, Housing For All TN hosted the 2025 Housing and Homelessness Day on the Hill, targeting five bills in the ongoing effort to address the urban, suburban, and rural housing crunch.

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ELI MOTYCKA

NewsChannel 5

'It is literally saving lives or saving limbs': Open Table Nashville needs volunteers this winter

As temperatures get dangerously low in Nashville, Open Table Nashville is continuing to care for the city's unhoused population through winter canvassing efforts.

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SCRIPPS MEDIA, INC.

The Tennessean

Nashville mayor considers halting scheduled demolition of longstanding homeless encampment

Mayor O'Connell and city and state entities are considering how to proceed with the planned demolition of Old Tent City structures. Open Table Nashville is uplifting the residents' requests to the mayor and the public.

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LINDSEY KRINKS

WKRN

Nashville non-profit advocates for extension on ‘Old Tent City’ demolition that would force residents out

Some Old Tent City residents have been given notice that their shelters will be demolished on September 16th. Open Table Nashville met with these residents and assisted in drafting their petition, shared in this article.

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NEXSTAR MEDIA INC.

The Contributor

Metro begins to push outreach and faith groups to obtain permits to serve food on Parks’ property

OTN's Associate Director of Advocacy India Pungarcher unpacks Metro Parks' pressure on outreach groups to obtain permits to give out food and supplies of Parks' property as well as the negative consequences.

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AL LEVENSON

In These Times

Inside the Right's War on Homelessness

Open Table Nashville fought against one of the many criminalization bills that the Cicero Institute has championed across the country. 

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BRANDON BELL / GETTY IMAGES

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Open Table Nashville

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to stand in solidarity with our friends on the streets and work to end homelessness through person-centered outreach, housing navigation, community education, and advocacy.

Questions? Contact us! 

info@opentablenashville.org

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