DUANE SHERRILLEditor

Good Samaritan of Tullahoma will celebrate 40 years of service to the community Saturday with a cookout at their local campus at 210 E. Grundy St from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 27.

This program began over 40 years ago, formerly known as the School Guidance Council, overseen by a group of caring people who had concern for the less fortunate, as volunteers, they worked to reach out, like the way we do today.

Chartered in 1985 a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Charitable Organization, as a way for churches of all Denominations, local businesses, and citizens to have a centralized location to provide assistance to those in the community in crisis need.

“We are invested in seeing lives improved by providing resources and information for; household management, employment opportunities, educational and counseling programs. We try to connect clients with social services agencies to help with special or specific needs,” the organization’s credo reads. “We offer relief aid in crisis situations- this aid may be food for a hungry family, clothing for a fire victims, or help in paying a utility bill.”

As for its ministries, they distribute food through our food pantry-perishable and non-perishable and provide relief aid in crisis situations for utilities, rent, and medicine. They Provide health aids such as canes, walkers, wheel chairs- at no charge. They also oversee Project Dignity – which provides basic cleaning and personal hygiene supplies. Project Baby Boom supplies diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and clothes. Project Furry Friends – provides pet food                                                                                         

Project Homeless – provides food, clothes, blankets, and cold weather gear to homeless individuals in our area. Project Help – is a program that encourages utility customers to add $1 or more to their monthly utility payments.  They administer Project Help funds which allows us to provide support to the elderly and disabled to help pay their utility bills.

CCCF/Community Care Special Funds – is a program where they administer funds which were mainly provided by TUA and TVA.  They administer these funds which help TUA customers effected by the COVID 19 virus, or other special circumstances.

“We help those who may have lost hope by offering prayer, support, and encouragement,” their credo continues. “We also, provide resources and information for; household management, employment opportunities, educational and counseling programs. We try to connect clients with social service agencies/resources, to help with special or specific needs. We give a hand up, not a hand out.”

They directly helped 7,012 People in 3,033 families as of the end of their fiscal year in May.            

Those wanting to get involved with Good Samaritan may volunteer to help in the thrift store, food pantry or office, donate food or hold a food drive, donate useable household items and clothing for distribution and/or sale through their Thrift Store, shop in their Thrift Store, contribute financially which is tax-deductible, serve on the Executive Board, and pray for the ministry and those served by it.

The Good Samaritan Ministry office and Thrift store are located at 210 E. Grundy St, Tullahoma TN. 37388. Ministry Office Contact (931 455 7353) Thrift Store Contact (931 393 3626)