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Dinner with Dorothy is the kick-off celebration to the 20th Anniversary of the Dorothy Day House. Since 2006, the DDH has provided temporary housing and support for more than 180 families. When the founders started, their belief was to help “one family at a time.” A few years later, in 2011, the newly formed Board of Directors, led by Michael Synk, had a “big, hairy, audacious goal” to house 20 families at a time. They felt at the time that if the organization could house that many families, DDH would be making a real impact in Memphis, our beloved city that is consistently ranked in the top 5 for overall and child poverty. With their help, we expanded into 2 more family homes and can house 9 families simultaneously. Over the past year, we have been tracking the number of families contacting us for shelter. More than 750 families submitted a shelter request. The need for shelter in Memphis just seems to grow more and more each year. So, what will be the long-term solution?
While we continue to provide temporary housing, the dream is to create a community that no longer needs the services of the Dorothy Day House. Sounds naïve, I know. It will require collaboration among community members and organizations, and for us to advocate at the city and state levels to secure the support parents need to provide for themselves and their children. While we advocate for the long term, we need you here and now to help us build a community where families are housed, supported, and loved.
Will you join us this year?
Tracy Burgess
Executive Director
| | Join us for our 20th Anniversary Events | |
Dinner with Dorothy
March 1, 2026 | 4-7 PM | FedEx Event Center
Don’t miss Dinner with Dorothy on March 1, 2026 — the kickoff to Dorothy Day House’s 20th Anniversary celebration! This event unites the Memphis community to honor families who have achieved stable housing and raise critical funds for families still facing houselessness. Enjoy live music, a festive happy hour with a wine pull, silent and live auctions, a delicious dinner, and a moving family testimonial.
Tickets and tables are available now — but they won’t last long.
Click here to secure yours today.
For questions about Dinner with Dorothy tickets, sponsorships, or more, email wwilliams@dorothydaymemphis.org.
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Panel: The Intersection of the Civil Rights and Catholic Worker Movements in Memphis
March 19, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
National Civil Rights Museum
Join us for a panel on the intersection of the Catholic Worker and Civil Rights Movement on Thursday, March 19th, which happens to be St. Joseph’s feast day. Some researchers note that the Catholic Worker is often more associated with pacifism than with organized anti-racism efforts; its history in the South tells a deeper story. In 1956, Dorothy Day wrote about the “horrific violence” she witnessed while traveling through Memphis and Mississippi. Around that same time, Helen Caldwell Riley directed the Blessed Martin House near St. Patrick Catholic Church (1952–1956), living out the Catholic Worker’s call to hospitality and justice amid segregation.
Learn more from voices whose work bridges history, theology, and lived experience, including Martha Hennessy, granddaughter of Dorothy Day; Russ Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum; Anne Mulhearn, author and historian; and Pete Gathje, theologian and co-founder of Manna House. The discussion will be moderated by Fr. Scott O’Brien, O.P., Priest of St. Peter Catholic Church and the St. Martin de Porres National Shrine and Institute.
Click here to register now.
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15th Annual Café du Memphis
April 25th, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
St. Michael Catholic Church
A festive morning of New Orleans–inspired food, live music, and community, benefiting Dorothy Day House and the Rotary Club Foundation.
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Founding Day Open House
May 6, 2026 | Time- tbd
Joseph's House
Join us for coffee, conversation, and a guided tour as we honor the roots of Dorothy Day House and look ahead to the future.
| | | As part of our 20th Anniversary celebration, Dorothy Day House is hosting and participating in several meaningful events throughout the year. We invite our community to join us in reflection, connection, and celebration. To stay up to date and for more details, including ticketing and volunteer opportunities, check out: www.dorothydaymemphis.org/events | | | How Can I Send Support to the Dorothy Day House? | Current Pantry Needs: kid-friendly snacks, pop-top microwavable meals (Chef Boyardee and macaroni & cheese), body wash | | |
Ship Items Directly to Us
1161 Peabody Ave, Memphis, TN
Send in-kind donations like pantry staples, cleaning, and disinfectant supplies.
- You can order from our Amazon Wishlist (updated weekly with our most-needed items) — or use it as inspiration to shop elsewhere.
📦 Order from Amazon Wish List
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Local Drop-Offs
321 S. Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN
Mon.–Fri, 8:30 AM– 3:30 PM
To schedule after-hours drop-offs or coordinate a large donation (drives, furniture, etc.)📧 srall@dorothydaymemphis.org
☎️ (901) 726-6760
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Send Physical Gift Cards
P.O. Box 40269
Memphis, TN 38174-0269
Gift cards — especially Kroger — help our families meet essential needs like groceries and gas for work. Your gift provides flexibility and dignity as parents take steps toward stability and independence.
💳 Send Kroger Gift Card
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Make a Financial Contribution
- Give online
- Mail checks to: P.O. Box 40269, Memphis, TN 38174-0269
More and more families in the Mid-South are struggling to access stable housing and food security. By giving you can help us keep children and their caregivers fed, safe, and housed.
For other ways to give:
📧 apalmer@dorothydaymemphis.org
| | | Thank you to all who have contributed in-kind items or donated financially to the Dorothy Day House. We greatly appreciate each and every one of you! | | Teachings from Dorothy Day | | |
Dorothy Day emphasizes that true poverty is uncomfortable and precarious, stripping away security and material comfort to foster compassion and solidarity, and insists we must continue talking about it so people don’t lose sight of its reality.
Click Here to read more.
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Rooted in the tradition of the Gospels and inspired by the vision and passion of Dorothy Day, the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality provides temporary housing and support services for families experiencing houselessness in Memphis, TN. Working with other local agencies, staff members and volunteers provide families in need with a safe environment and the means to re-establish their independence. All guests are welcomed as Christ with no discrimination. | | Connect with the Dorothy Day House | | | | |
