Hope Helps serves Kingsport community and beyond

KINGSPORT — At the end of a shopping center in Allandale is a food pantry and clothing closet helping thousands of people each year. Outside the nonprofit sits racks of clothing and accessories for people who need it. A new, yellow sign reading "Hope Helps TN" hangs above the entrance on that side of the building. Located at 4540 W. Stone Drive, volunteer Bob Curtin explained the process that clients, or more informally called neighbors, go through when seeking aid at Hope Helps. Curtin said Hope Helps supported 1,090 households and almost 5,000 family members in 2025. For this year, that number is already at 1,828 households and 4,522 individuals — with 293 of those being new households. Volunteer Maggie Williams said clothing donations are dropped out front and come inside for sorting. Every member of a family who comes in can pick out a pair of shoes, socks, underwear, a bra, seven tops and seven pants or shorts. Hope Helps also hosts yard sales on the first Saturday of every month that contributes to keeping the organization running. Food supply Residents with food needs check in at the reception desk and fill out the necessary paperwork before talking to a food advocate. Curtin mentioned volunteers check in with these neighbors to see what they have going on in their life and where they might need more support. Sandy Church, a volunteer who helps handle the food side of the organization, said their pantry carries both USDA and non-USDA items. Members of the community are allowed to visit Hope Helps once every 30 days. "USDA items are items that the government sends us to get out to people," she said. "Non-USDA are items that we take and purchase ourselves with the money that we earn from either our yard sales or donations or any of the items we sell off the porch." She said local Walmarts, Aldis, Dollar Generals and even a Starbucks donate to help keep the pantry stocked. But even with those donations, resources are not always abundant. "Some days we don't get as many donations, and then some days like today I've got two coolers that I just didn't get as much," Church said. "With a good heart and a smile, we give them all we can, and most of our clients are very proud and thankful of what they did." Church said she is most proud of the fact Hope Helps gives neighbors the opportunity to choose which food they would like to take home. "At some food banks, you get a box, you don't have a choice," she said. "Here, we're proud to say that we are allowed to give them the choice." Hope Helps assists community members with access to housewares and hygiene products, as well. Curtin said the food advocate will write down any products the neighbor needs, and volunteers in the back will sort through the organization's inventory to complete the list. Looking ahead Hope Helps is looking to celebrate its 10th anniversary in the community with a Fall Festival Hoedown on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. at their location on West Stone Drive. There will be a cruise-in, motorcycle ride, contests, games, food and more. Curtin said they are always looking for volunteers, but additionally, people can donate goods or clothes. His goal is to keep putting the name and mission of Hope Helps out there and to partner with other supporting local organizations in the future. "We want hope to grow, but we cannot grow what we're doing now because we don't have the volunteers and we don't have the food to add another day." he said. Hope Helps is open by appointment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday each week. For more information, call 423-530-7156 or visit https://hopehelpstn.blueridge-us.com/.