Area Interfaith Outreach outlines expansion of food, diaper and energy assistance across Knox County

Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) told the Knox County Commission on June 10 that the nonprofit has expanded its food, diaper and energy-assistance programs countywide and is piloting home delivery to reach residents without vehicles.

AIO said it served about 4,550 people in the past 12 months, “right about 11% of the county,” and that its weekend meals program now reaches all 18 of Knox County’s public schools, feeding an estimated 850 children each weekend during the school year. AIO said it is starting a summer weekend-meals distribution in two weeks through five libraries as distribution points while schools are closed.

The organization also described a rapidly growing home-delivery program that began in February. “First week, we did 4 households. Today, we are doing 65 households,” the presenter said, adding that the group plans to scale the program carefully to maintain reliable service and anticipates serving about 150 households by year end.

AIO’s presentation said its core services group into three “legs”: food, diapers and energy. The nonprofit reported providing close to 600 energy-assistance payments (totaling about $180,000) for the most recent heating season; it described a practice of executing aid in “waves” so funds are available across the winter.

On diapers, AIO said it stocks sizes from newborn through adult and makes them available in-market without requiring clients to request them explicitly. The presenter answered a question from the commission about adult diapers, saying AIO “distribute[s] them a little bit differently… we just have them in the market. People take it.”

Funding and operations: AIO said roughly $1.1 million is the cash portion of its annual budget and that about 60–65% of cash revenue comes from individual donors, roughly 10–15% from fundraisers and about 20% from grants and foundation support. The presenter described two signature fundraisers: an annual “Fill the Strand” food drive and an “Art Feeds” auction of handcrafted bowls. AIO said it also receives substantial in-kind food donations and partners with Good Shepherd Food Bank for food supply, but cautioned that reduced federal support for some food-bank programs could cut the amount AIO receives from that source by “about 15%” in a worst-case scenario.

AIO emphasized access barriers and transportation: the presenter cited a regional survey showing “a thousand homes in this county do not have a vehicle,” and used that figure to explain the need for home delivery and distributed shelf units positioned at health centers, YMCAs and other community sites.

Partnerships and referrals: Commissioners discussed ways to deepen collaboration. The sheriff’s office and jail staff were named as potential partners for diaper drives and for identifying residents leaving custody who could be signed up for immediate services. Commissioners suggested listing AIO services on county channels and exploring a county 411-style information line to reach residents without internet access; AIO recommended directing people to local libraries and other partners as distribution points.

Volunteers and community role: AIO said volunteers are a critical part of its operations and that many regular volunteers also rely on the organization for social connection. The presenter called the organization “a one-stop shopping” place where health partners, career centers and other agencies can meet clients on site.

Why it matters: The presentation framed AIO as a major locally based safety-net provider whose programs reach households across Knox County and which is expanding home delivery and summer meal access to meet growing demand. Commissioners discussed non-financial ways the county can support AIO — including referrals, logistical coordination and inclusion in county outreach and resource lists.

The commission did not take any formal action on AIO’s presentation during the meeting.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A during the Knox County Commission meeting, June 10, 2025. Quotes and figures are drawn from the presenter’s remarks to the commission and from commissioner questions recorded in the meeting transcript.