NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A Florida man is taking a unique trip throughout the United States to help fight homelessness.
Frank McKinney, an author, realtor and philanthropist, is taking his "Survival to Thrival" tour to 16 cities around the country. McKinney spoke with Nashville's News 2 on the way to the tour's next stop in Chattanooga.
According to McKinney, there are one million homeless people in the United States. That alarming statistic is why McKinney decided to embark on this tour.
"I got eight times more calls for domestic assistance; our charity did in 2011, than I had in 2010. Eight times more, so we [have to] do something," McKinney told Nashville's News 2.
McKinney's tour includes stops at shelters where he speaks about his humble beginnings, gives gift cards to those in need and donates money to the shelters he visits.
But most meaningful, is when McKinney swaps lives with a homeless person in each city.
"They get to be king for a day. Family, men, women and then I go where they were. So I've slept under bridges now, I've slept in parks, I've slept at homeless shelters and it helps me relate better to what these people are going through," said McKinney.
Through the experience, McKinney has learned that homelessness can happen to anyone, "Just missed one pay check, missed a house payment, lost the house, lived in the car, missed the car and now they're on the street."
Though the "Survival to Thrival" tour didn't make an official stop in Nashville, McKinney still made a donation to the Room in The Inn.
McKinney hopes that his tour and actions inspire others to help end homelessness, "It's [society] losing or lacking action takers or doers and that's what we're all about on the tour."
For more information visit, Frank-McKinney.com.
