News Summary
New Providence Presbyterian Church hosted A Place to Stay’s quarterly Supportive Outreach Services Day, providing essential support and resources to Blount County residents. With numerous volunteers, attendees received meals, clothing, and assistance from various local services, including free haircuts and health screenings. This outreach event aims to foster community collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring those in need have access to vital resources.
Maryville – New Providence Presbyterian Church successfully hosted A Place to Stay’s quarterly Supportive Outreach Services (SOS) Day on Saturday, which served numerous Blount County residents in need of support and essential services.
The event, organized with the help of church volunteers, featured various clothing drives conducted both inside and outside the church. Volunteers worked tirelessly, ensuring that attendees had access to crucial resources and services throughout the day.
Dr. Doug Sofer and Dr. Nancy Locklin-Sofer from Maryville College played key roles in managing food service at the event, helping to keep meals available for distribution. Volunteer Margi packaged meals on-site, demonstrating the community’s commitment to supporting those in need.
The turnout was impressive, with many volunteers contributing their time and skills to provide meals, haircuts, and clothing. Among the offerings, hairdressers from the Tennessee School of Beauty provided free haircuts to attendees, enhancing the event’s welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, representatives from the Tennessee Department of Human Services and Gateway to Independence set up informational tables to assist residents.
Heather Mayhew from A Place to Stay estimated a significant number of volunteers took part in supporting the outreach, showcasing the collaborative effort behind this successful event. At the church’s entrance, a dedicated panel of women directed attendees and volunteers, ensuring that everyone felt welcomed. Volunteers from the Second Harvest Food Bank also played a vital role, unloading fresh, locally sourced produce for distribution.
For younger attendees, the environment was made engaging with children’s tables filled with books from which kids could select their favorite titles. Additionally, Operation Vet Rescue provided valuable information about their service animal training program, further enriching the array of resources available to attendees.
The next SOS Day is scheduled for November 8 at New Providence Presbyterian Church, continuing the tradition of providing essential services to the community every quarter. These outreach events typically occur on the second Saturday of January, April, and August, allowing for consistent support for local residents.
Planning for these events requires significant effort, including coordinating RSVP emails and securing food donations from various sponsors. Continuous fundraising throughout the year is essential to ensure that outreach events and related services can be sustained.
Free health services offered at SOS Days encompass a variety of essential needs, such as STD testing appointments, primary and dental care for uninsured residents, and access to free condoms and Narcan. The Maryville Lions Club was also present to provide immediate vision screenings for children aged 18 and under, adding another layer of care for the community’s youth.
In addition to health services, various organizations attended the SOS Day, offering free hygiene kits and advice on resume building, job seeking, and legal issues. The day was designed to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for every participant, highlighting a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging in the Blount County community, regardless of socioeconomic status.
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Additional Resources
- The Daily Times: SOS Day at New Providence Presbyterian Church
- Wikipedia: Community Outreach
- The Daily Times: Importance of Community Support
- Google Search: Supportive Outreach Services
- The Daily Times: Empowering Residents Through Community Events
- Google Scholar: Community Service Impact
- The Daily Times: Supporting Local Charities
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Service
- The Daily Times: Benefits of Outreach Programs
- Google News: SOS Day
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
