Giving Thanks & Giving Back: Spotlight on A Hand Up Homeless Christian Ministry

As we head into a season of gratitude, we’re honored to spotlight a local organization that embodies compassion in action: A Hand Up Homeless Christian Ministry. This Knoxville-based ministry serves individuals and families across the city by meeting urgent, everyday needs, while sharing the hope and love of Christ.

Who They Are & What They Do

Every Friday, the Hand Up team travels across the city, from downtown to Farragut, delivering a hot home cooked meal, canned goods, snack bags, and cases of water and Powerade. Their outreach goes far beyond food. Each person is offered toilet paper, wet wipes, flashlights, candles, lighters, Bibles, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and tarps. Everyone receives new shoes, a pair of Bombas socks, underwear, jeans, a hoodie, a jacket or coat, and gloves.

During winter, the ministry provides warm kits—fire-starting bricks, flammable hand sanitizer, and hand and toe warmers—to help people endure freezing temperatures. On average, 140–160 people are served every week. It costs roughly $1,300–$1,500 per week in winter and $1,100–$1,200 per week in summer to meet these needs.

Their primary goal is to introduce people to Christ, help them get clean, and support them as they move toward a stable and productive life. When someone is ready to transition off the streets, A Hand Up Homeless Christian Ministry steps in to secure housing and provide furniture, groceries, a month-long KAT bus card, a pay-as-you-go phone with the first month paid, and first month’s rent. Families with children are prioritized for immediate housing support.

Why Sparks Supports A Hand Up

We first connected with A Hand Up the simplest way they suggest: come see. The ministry invites anyone who is curious to come along on a Friday night and see the outreach for themselves. It is a simple and honest way to experience what they do, meet the people they serve, and understand the heart behind the mission. What we saw was genuine care, consistency, and the Gospel lived out.

At Sparks Insurance, our mission is: “We will change the world one life at a time by serving others for the glory of God.” 

Partnering with A Hand Up is a natural extension of that calling. Their approach—meeting physical needs, offering prayer, building relationships, and helping people move forward—mirrors our heartbeat as a company. This work restores dignity, offers hope, and changes lives one person at a time.

Their hearts are genuine. They don’t just talk about meeting needs, they show up every week, rain or shine, and live out the Gospel in the most practical ways. It is impossible to witness their outreach and not feel compelled to help.

How They Serve Knoxville—Week In and Week Out

A Hand Up spends the week gathering supplies, preparing meals, and meeting people where they are. Beyond essential items, they walk alongside individuals on the hard road to stability—helping with housing, furnishing a home, paying first month’s rent, providing transportation and a working phone so people can secure jobs and stay connected with support services.

Their most consistent program is Friday outreach, with expanded efforts in winter to help people survive the cold. Without A Hand Up, many would go without food, warmth, or necessities—and some families might remain unhoused even longer.

How You Can Help

Giving back doesn’t always require something big. Small, faithful acts add up and can completely change someone’s day—or future. If you’re moved to get involved, there are a few simple ways to make an immediate impact:

• Donate funds or supplies (food, water, clothing, blankets, warm kits).
• Volunteer—consider joining a Friday night outreach to see and serve.
• Share the mission—spread the word with friends, churches, and local groups.

If you’d like to help or learn more, please reach out to: Charlie Jackson • (865) 919-1510 • ahanduphelpline@gmail.com

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands.”
— Psalm 90:17 (CSB)

From all of us at Sparks Insurance, thank you for supporting organizations that strengthen our community. This season—and every season—we’re grateful for partners like A Hand Up Christian Homeless Ministries who serve with unwavering love and practical help. If you have questions about our community efforts or want to connect with the ministry, we’re happy to point you in the right direction.