A weekly outreach program offers locals in need an opportunity to shower, enjoy lunch, and access free resources. Called “Refresh & Refuel,” or RNR for short, the Outreach takes place on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Jamestown. Coordinated by The Community House, the outreach is staffed by volunteers from numerous area nonprofits and churches. Future plans include access to laundry facilities, haircuts, and more.
“Sadly, so many individuals are living so close to the poverty line that access to a hot shower and fresh food is beyond their means,” explained Rachelle Kerr, Executive Director of The Community House. Leaders of local nonprofits often encounter individuals living in their vehicles or residing in homes without access to electricity or hot water. And most of the area’s homeless have no access to shower facilities. “Until a physical location for The Community House becomes a reality, like-minded organizations such as First Baptist Church are joining forces to meet as many needs of our area’s impoverished as possible,” Kerr added.
The same Jamestown organizations teamed up during the extreme cold weather this winter to provide an Overnight Warming Facility for area residents without access to adequate heat or running water.
First Baptist Jamestown’s Family Life Center is at 360 East Central Avenue in Jamestown (next to city hall). The Outreach will be open to individuals and families living in Jamestown and Fentress County.
The following services will be available:
- Shower and laundry facilities
- Made-to-order sandwiches and sides, drinks
- Donated clothing, toiletries, and other items as available
- Electrical outlets for charging electronic devices.
- Operating hours are Thursdays from 1 pm to 4 pm
- Connection to resources and applications to support services
- Free haircuts the first Thursday of the month
This is a unique collaborative effort of many organizations. First and foremost, thanks to the generosity of the congregation and leadership at First Jamestown Baptist Church for their willingness to share their beautiful facility and provide access to showers, food, and fellowship for those in need. Coming together to organize and provide volunteers, support, and supplies are The Hope Foundation, The Hope Chest, Manna House Ministries, The Community House, Upper Cumberland Human Resource District, Fentress County Emergency Management Agency, Medi-Thrift Pharmacy, Duncan’s Clothing World, and volunteers and donors from a growing list of churches and caring individuals throughout the County.
The Community House heads up volunteer coordination and administration. This nonprofit organization was established in July 2024 to provide shelter and support services to the unsheltered and those in need in Fentress County.
_____________________________________
Refresh & Refuel Outreach
1 pm-4 pm Thursdays
360 East Central Avenue in Jamestown, TN
Center Phone 931-879-4845,
Volunteer and Donations Phone Number: (931) 288-9963
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.