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No muffling Perry’s good deeds
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Visitors to the food distributions don’t leave hungry. Last Friday they were fed burgers and soup. Pictured, from left, are Tonya Johnson, Ronnie Perry and Ruth Johnson.
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Dozens of people flood into the lower level of Perry’s Garage on Sparta Street last Friday to get free kitchen staples such as bread and potatoes. Ronnie Perry holds the food distributions thanks to a partnership with Feed America First.

There’s been a different type of work taking place at Perry’s Garage on Sparta Street that doesn’t involve gaskets and wrenches.


Business owner Ronnie Perry is still doing mechanical repairs, but it’s his charity work which has been firing on all cylinders lately.


Perry’s philanthropic efforts now include weekly food giveaways most Fridays at 5 p.m. The events draw sizeable crowds, sometimes up to 150 people eager to restock their cupboards with kitchen essentials.


“It’s a gift for me to be able to do this,” said Perry, who has worked with the Feed America First food bank for 18 years. “There’s a lot of food here right now, but before the night is over it will all be gone.”

Perry’s food distribution last Friday featured bread, sacks of potatoes, and soft drinks as the main items. He sends a truck to the Feed America First distribution center in Murfreesboro on Friday morning before offering the food to the public later that day.


In addition to providing food for their home, Perry doesn’t want visitors to leave hungry. For the past 20 weeks, he has been offering a hot meal that can be eaten on the premises. Last Friday the menu included burgers from the grill and potato soup.


“Ronnie is really dedicated to helping people,” said Wade Sparkman, who was busy flipping burgers and who regularly volunteers his time. “His philosophy is you can’t take it with you. He pays for so much of this out of his own pocket. It costs quite a bit for paper towels, aluminum foil, hamburger meat, things we need to offer this on a weekly basis.”


Ruth Johnson and her daughter, Tonya Johnson, chipped in to provide the homemade potato soup that was drawing rave reviews. They’ve been helping for nearly five months.


“It’s good to know we can give our time to something like this,” said Ruth. “We’re having good crowds and you can tell of lot of people need this.”


Perry has been working to help those in need for 18 years, dating back to his days of driving out west in his own bus to distribute food and clothing on Indian reservations. He still uses the bus that has the saying “God loves a cheerful giver” painted on the side.


In continuing his humanitarian work, Perry is making an effort to open a homeless shelter to supplement the work done by Lighthouse Ministries with its local homeless facilities.


“People are always calling me needing a place to stay,” said Perry. “There are a lot of homeless people here. I tried to get the city to let me use the Blue Building and turn it into a homeless shelter. I would pay for all the renovation work myself if they just let me use the building.”


Despite Perry’s noble intentions, city government is not permitted to donate property to a private individual. Perry says he will continue to look for a suitable facility for a homeless shelter, especially with the weather turning colder.


“I know I’d hate to stay under a bridge for the night,” said Perry. “I’m lucky to have a good home and a good wife. But these homeless people need help. They’re down and out and a lot of them were servicemen.”


The weekly food distributions take place on most Fridays at Perry’s Garage, 510 Sparta Street, near the underpass. The phone number is 473-5568. Anyone who might have a suitable location to be considered for a homeless shelter is encouraged to call Perry at that number.