Amazing food in a beautiful country setting served as the backdrop for the second annual Farm to Table Dinner Tuesday, September 1st at The Burnett Family Farm. The dinner featured 11 freshly prepared, chef-curated courses – made with ingredients sourced from nearly a dozen local producers and served on fine china. 

The dinner showcased the County’s amazing community of growers, producers, and artisans. The food exceeded all expectations, with courses including salmon pizza, cream corn brulee, yeast rolls with 3 types of flavored butters, marinated smoked chicken and pork, and apple berry crumble with peach ice cream.  The evening concluded with a lively Auction led by Auctioneer JJ Payne, offering 15 donated items from area businesses and craftsmen.

Many area businesses also donated their services, helping offset the cost of advertising, photography, and printing. The entire wait staff and cleanup crew consisted of The Community House volunteers and board members, who kept the food service flowing smoothly all evening. 

Early totals show about $30,000 raised. “We are so very humbled by the hearts and hands of those who continue to come alongside us,” comments Executive Director Rachelle Kerr. “Our guests often feel unseen and abandoned by society. Seeing the overwhelming care and concern of so many people in this beautiful community makes a huge impact on them.”

Fentress County has no homeless shelter. The Community House’s mission is to remedy that, not with just a stopgap solution, but with safe, transitional housing for those rebuilding their lives.

Kerr spoke about The Community House’s outreach efforts, successes, and future goals. “We were blessed to expand our outreach over the last year, but our goal of adding a dedicated location is more vital than ever. Stability is the key to rebuilding lives: A safe place to call home, food, and the support of a caring community make all the difference for those rebuilding their lives.”

Established in 2024, The Community House is a vital part of the county’s safety net. Until funds can be raised for a farm or building, the entirely volunteer-based organization serves the county’s unsheltered and those in need primarily through two outreaches hosted in partnership with First Baptist Jamestown at its Family Life Center: 

• Refresh and Refuel, a weekly outreach, offers access to showers, laundry, a hot homemade meal, monthly haircuts, clothing, and hygiene items. So far, 79 individuals, including 21 children have been served. 

• An Overnight Warming Facility offers shelter, a warm place to sleep, and hot meals, clothing and hygiene items on the coldest winter nights. Open 32 overnights last year, volunteers gave 3,000 hours of service.

“Events like this show that our community cares about those who are struggling, and wants to help us make a meaningful, productive difference in people’s lives,” explained Kerr. “Every dollar raised brings us closer to our vision of a physical location with caring paid staff, making a difference daily for those who need support.”

“This is more than a dinner — it’s a community coming together to care for its own,” said  Rachelle Kerr, executive director of The Community House. “There are so many people struggling to afford rent and food. The Community House’s vision is an established location where those in need receive opportunities and services that lead them to independence and break the cycle of poverty,” adds Kerr.

For more information, please contact The Community House or visit www.thecommunityhousetn.org

Sponsors:

Venue Sponsor: Burnett Family Farm Platinum Sponsors: 1st National Bank of Oneida, Crabtree Public Accounting, Highlands Church of the Cumberlands, LaMotte Sales and Repair, One Bank, The Hope Chest Gold Sponsors: Bestway Realty, Faith Baptist Tabernacle Silver Sponsors: Bestway Auction Dwight Dickson, Builtwell Bank, County Executive Jacob Rosenbaum, Duncan’s Clothing, Fentress County Chamber of Commerce, Native Provisions, Restore Wellness Salon & Spa, Smart Bank, Union Bank Bronze Sponsor: Sheriff Hunter Fowler

Producers: The Beachy’s at Clear Creek Farms, Dough to Go – Joy Frazier, Edwards Orchard – Bobby and Mik Edwards, Galena Garlic – Laszlo and Debra Marton, Kenny and Donna Hannifin – Smoked Salmon, Kinsley’s Coop, Ponch’s Pizza – Ponch & Crissy Boykin, Ramsey Market, Weeping Willow Ranch – Justin and Melanie Beaty

Head Chef – Amanda Smith

Auction Donors: Advance Auto – Crossville – Tool Box, Bootleg Bakery – Gift Certificate, Buck Farms – Gift Basket, Burnett Family Farm – Gift Basket, Country Quilters Dream Shop – Leah Pepito – Gift Basket, Finley Farms – Carriage Ride, John Holloman – Baked Goods, Kirsch’s Creations – 2 Gift Certificates, Embrace Home Loans – Laura Dorsey – Gift Basket, O’Sullivan Family – Irobot Braava Jet Mop, Restore Wellness Salon and Spa – two 60-minute Gift Certificates, Laszlo Marton – two custom wood tables, John Wheeler – two ricks of wood, Steve Price – Author & Photographer – 2 Books

Additional Thank Yous to:  Amanda Hicks & our County Clerk Crew; Diana Douglass; Joe Wheeler; TCH board & volunteers; First Baptist Jamestown; WDEB; WCLC; Advanced Imaging; Fentress Times; Fentress Courier Today; Francis, Allison & Alexa LaMotte; Native Provisions; Leslie Clark Ledbetter; Austin Andrews; JJ, Belinda & Payne family; Josh Shoopman/ShoopShots; Brian Trout; all Auction Donors; and all Attendees!