Welcome to Knoxville Bridge Ministry

For over seven years the Bridge Ministry has served a meal each month to about 250 people in downtown Knoxville who are experiencing homelessness. We are a ministry of the Diocese of Knoxville and have volunteers from several parishes, Knights of Columbus councils and other friends who help out.

Typically we have between 25-35 volunteers who serve 600 hot dogs with all the fixins, chili, chips, cookies and ice cream (in the summertime) to our homeless guests. All are welcome to volunteer, but children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent. There is no need to notify us in advance if you wish to help serve, just show up at 11:00 on our monthly ministry day.

We serve our guests at the Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) outdoor courtyard on the 4th Sunday morning of the month. The average cost of food and supplies each month is between $600-$650. We welcome your financial donations, as we receive no direct financial support from the Diocese of Knoxville. Our only source of funds are your donations, 100% of which are used to purchase food and supplies. Your donation is tax-deductible.

East Tennessee Catholic Article

We were featured in the monthly magazine of the Diocese of Knoxville in November 2017. Click on the magazine cover to read the article:

You can follow us on Facebook and I also encourage you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive information via email. We only send email twice a month. The first is our monthly newsletter and the second is a last minute reminder of this month’s ministry date. We promise not to spam you with messages or share your information with any other organization. You can subscribe here:

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Ministry Calendar

    Oct
    22
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Oct 22 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Nov
    26
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Nov 26 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Dec
    17
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Dec 17 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Jan
    28
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Jan 28 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Feb
    25
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Feb 25 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Mar
    24
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Mar 24 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Apr
    28
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Apr 28 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    May
    26
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    May 26 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Jun
    23
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Jun 23 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Jul
    28
    Sun
    Bridge Ministry at KARM @ KARM Courtyard
    Jul 28 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

    Photos

    Early Days

    Our ministry began on Christmas Day 2015 when Scott & Christine Maentz decided to serve sandwiches, donuts, fruit and coffee to their homeless neighbors who stay “under the bridge” on N. Broadway Ave in Knoxville. Scott is a member of the Knights of Columbus (a Catholic men’s organization), to whom he suggested that this become a monthly ministry activity for his local council. They agreed and the ministry quickly expanded to include dozens of volunteers from various parishes around Knoxville.

    Looking for a New Home

    When the area under the bridge was fenced by the railroad in early 2017, we began searching for a new home for our monthly ministry. Our friends at the Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) graciously invited us to set up in their outdoor courtyard. We were thrilled to work with KARM and our relationship with them is outstanding. We experienced firsthand how God’s divine providence always provides for our needs.

    Donate to the Bridge Ministry

    Your gift in support of the Knoxville Bridge Ministry is now tax-deductible! Recently established as a ministry of the Diocese of Knoxville, we are now able to accept your gift under its banner. Your donation will be available in its entirety to the Bridge Ministry, helping us feed our homeless neighbors by purchasing the necessary food and supplies that enable us to conduct this important ministry.

    Each month we serve lunch and provide comfort to our homeless brothers and sisters in the courtyard of the Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM). Your donation will be used, in its entirety, for the purchase of the food and supplies that enable us to conduct this valuable outreach. We serve 500 hot dogs, chips, cookies, ice cream and drinks monthly, which amounts to between $600-$700 of needed provisions. 

    Your donations and prayers for our ministry are very much appreciated. When you donate using the form below you will receive a receipt via email. Should you prefer to donate via check, please make the check payable to the Diocese of Knoxville and reference “Bridge Ministry” in the memo line. The mailing address is:

    Diocese of Knoxville
    Attn: Bridge Ministry
    805 S. Northshore Drive
    Knoxville, TN 37919

    May God richly bless your generosity!

     

    Contact Us

    Please drop us a note if you have any questions about our ministry. We’ll be back in touch soon!