Anyone in need in the Jamestown Community is invited to the Refresh & Refuel’s “Refuel BBQ Bash.” Come to the Refresh & Refuel outreach on Thursday, October 23, to enjoy free hot BBQ, cooked and donated courtesy of Burnett’s Grocery and Butcher’s BBQ.
Beginning at 2 pm, the food truck will be serving smoked chicken quarters, pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, and potato salad. Chefs are prepared to serve 100 meals, rain or shine.
The Refresh Outreach will be operating as usual for those needing showers, laundry, or hygiene items.
Location: First Baptist Jamestown’s Family Life Center, 360 East Central Avenue (entrance beside city hall.)
Refresh & Refuel is a joint weekly outreach of The Community House and First Baptist Church Jamestown.
For more information, email info@thecommunityhousetn.org
Background on The Refresh & Refuel Outreach, launched in May, provides locals-in-need with an opportunity to shower, eat lunch, and access to laundry facilities, free resources every Thursday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Held 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. Free haircuts are available the first Thursday of the month.
“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 are 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.
This is a unique collaborative effort of many organizations. Thanks first and foremost 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 formed in July 2024 to provide shelter and support services to the unsheltered and needy in Fentress County.
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Refresh & Refuel Outreach
360 East Central Avenue in Jamestown, TN
Center Phone 931-879-4845, 1 pm-4 pm Thursdays
Volunteer & Information Phone Number: (931) 288-9963