Knox Area Rescue Ministries

Jenna Robinson, Mia Schabow, Ethan Corbett, Jiyuan Jiang, Timothy Galloway

Who We Are

We are a group of five University of Tennessee Knoxville students who are uniting to raise money for the Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) in Knoxville, Tennessee. We are excited about affiliating with this non-profit organization and helping those in difficult situations and without homes. We believe it is essential to serve others who are not granted the same opportunities as us.

KARM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1960; their mission is to help the poor and needy in the Knoxville area through individual improvement. KARM provides their guests clean clothes, food, showers and educational programs.

The Launch Point program, where individuals discover why they are here, who they are, and what they need. This program also allows guests to receive a birth certificate, social security card, and a valid ID. Berea is KARM’s second program where individuals learn residential skills, financials and long-term recovery options. The Abundant Life Kitchen program teaches the guests hands-on kitchen experience, where they can learn the culinary arts and eventually receive a “Serve Safe Certification,” which allows them to apply to local restaurants and food service companies.

KARM follows the same ministry formula that Jesus used, “Rescue + Relationships = Restoration.”

What We Need

The money raised through our campaign will go directly to Knox Area Rescue Ministries to purchase supplies for shelter residents. Every night more than 300 guests enter KARM’s doors in search of food, showers, and a place to sleep.. Through a cash donation, you can help supply enough towels, which will allow all guests to take a clean shower. Two hundred men’s and 104 women’s beds need new sheets each night. Through cash donations, you can help put clean sheets on the beds for guests to sleep on every night.

Over time products like sheets, towels, and other necessities get diminished. Individuals need products like these to stay clean, comfortable and rehabilitated. With the money raised, KARM will purchase new sheets and towels for their guests. With the support of donors like you, these guests will be given the necessities needed to live a cleaner and healthier life. With your help, we aim to raise $1000, which will go directly to KARM.

How It Helps

Donations that help purchase these specific products open a new door for each guest at the shelter. KARM is an organization that wants everyone to feel welcome, no matter their history or current situation. Receiving these donations helps with comfort and basic hygiene for less fortunate people.

There are currently 1,178 people experiencing homelessness in Knoxville, and more than 5,000 men and women come through KARM every year. With winter coming on, raising money for this organization allows the workers and volunteers at KARM to reduce the number of individuals sleeping outside and provide their guests with a safe and warm space to sleep.

How Else You Can Help

Through this campaign, you can help KARM purchase sheets and towels for their guests. However, if you are unable to donate at this time, you can help by sharing information with others about this campaign and following KARM on their social media platform. You can also help out KARM by volunteering at the shelter , which is highly appreciated.