Community Services
Neighborhood Service Centers
The Neighborhood Service Centers are funded primarily by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the Tennessee Department of Human Services and THDA. The centers provide emergency services in the form of vouchers for limited help with rent/mortgage evictions, utility disconnect notices and food. They also distribute USDA Surplus Commodity food, provide job placement services and provide limited home visits and errands for elderly and disabled clients.
The goal of the LIHEAP program is to aid low-income households with the high cost of home heating or cooling. Clients may apply at designated times each year for a one-time payment to their utility provider. The program has two components. Crisis assistance is available throughout the year until funds are exhausted. Some of the requirements include: households must meet poverty guidelines, have a disconnect notice for their utilities or have less than a 30-day supply of home heating fuel. Energy assistance is the largest component and receives applications year round. Specific program eligibility requirements apply to each component.
Counties Served: Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Monroe and Sevier
Clients Eligible: For assistance under the CSBG program, clients must establish a need for the service, meet 125% of poverty income guidelines and meet other specific program requirements. The USDA Commodity and LIHEAP programs requires households be under the 150% poverty income guidelines.
LIHEAP and LIHWAP Main Office (423)318-6933
Neighborhood Service Centers
Open to serve clients M-F 9am-4:00 pm (Closed for lunch 12-1pm)
Cocke County
353 Driskill Circle
Newport, TN 37821
Mailing: P.O. Box 68
Newport, TN 37822
P: 423-623-3066
F:423-625-9314
Grainger County
7765 Rutledge Pike
Rutledge, TN 37861
Mailing: P.O. Box 191
Rutledge, TN 37861
P: 865-828-5228
F: 865-828-6072
Hamblen County
224 Lincoln Ave.
Morristown, TN 37813
P: 423-587-3076
Jefferson County
Physical: 1409 Russell Ave., Suite A
Mailing: P.O. Box 306
Jefferson City, TN 37760
P: 865-475-4745
F: 865-471-6081
Monroe County
884 Englewood Road
Madisonville, TN 37354
P: 423-442-3769
F: 423-442-7928
Sevier County
750 Old Knoxville Hwy.
Sevierville, TN 37864
Mailing: P.O. Box 4432
Sevierville, TN 37862
P:865-453-7131
F: 865-774-9719
Meals on Wheels Senior Nutrition Program
The Meals on Wheels Senior Nutrition Program provides home delivered meals to the homebound and site specific congregate meals for those still active enough to attend functions. Our congregate program promotes staying active and healthy by giving seniors a reason to fellowship with others while enjoying a nutritious meal. Our homebound participants receive the benefit of someone checking on them weekly, as well as receiving at least five nutritious meals per week. Senior Nutrition ensures that each senior gets at least one third of the recommended daily allowance of nutrients for older adults by providing fruits, juices, dairy products and bread products to supplement the five frozen microwaveable entrees. The program strives to break the cycle of poor nutrition leading to poor health.
Presently, Senior Nutrition provides services for approximately 650 clients in six counties. The program serves low-income and disabled seniors. While income is not a factor in determining eligibility, the majority of our applicants are at or below poverty level. Eligibility is based upon nutritional need, age, and daily activity limitations.
Grant funding does not provide the total amount needed to support the program entirely. Sponsorships are available for anyone wishing to provide a monthly monetary amount to help a senior receive nutritious meals. In additions, any and all general donations are accepted at any time.
Counties served: Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Monroe, and Sevier
More Than A Meal®
Community Connect Program
Douglas-Cherokee’s Community Connect Program, funded through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), seeks to connect members of our community with free transportation and/or housekeeping services. The Community Connect Program is dedicated to assisting low-income seniors by providing free transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, dental appointments, and grocery shopping along with numerous other errands. Community Connect also provides free light housekeeping services to those who qualify as low-income; which assists clients in maintaining a clean home to enjoy.
What are Community Connect Volunteers Saying About Their Volunteer Experience?
"What a surprise to discover that transportation turned out to be a life lesson! In the beginning, I was more interested in the telephone volunteer opportunity than the transportation. But, once I started with transportation, it has become quite the blessing in more ways than one. The uniqueness is seeing and talking to people face-to-face. Many times, these folks have made me realize just how blessed I am. A few have physical issues and they are so grateful to have someone just to hold on to while walking, and for taking them wherever they need to go. Helping them into doctor offices or carrying their groceries into the house brings a sense of gratitude. Additionally, many friendships have developed just from driving them places and being in a position to hear their life stories- the happy and the sad as well. When they're all done and back home, they always say, "Thank you," as I prepare to leave. I tell them, "It was my pleasure." Little do they know it was my privilege to be with them. "
- Mary Y.
What Community Connect Clients are Saying?
"I am so thankful for Community Connect Volunteers calling to check in on me and for driving me to my appointments and to the grocery store. Everyone is so considerate, that I consider them part of my family. I'm so thankful for this program!
- Donna H.
Learn how you can help connect your community today!
Call Douglas-Cherokee Community Connect for more information at (423)318-6912.
More Than A Meal® and Together, We Can Deliver® are registered trademarks of Meals on Wheels America and are used under license.