$400,00 for a building and not one dime for nutritious food???
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The Tennessee Health Department had to instruct them to clean up the Food Bank. The Director states that he raised $5,000,000 for taking care of the poor. This basically is to feed them. Not once in 4 years has he ever spent a dime to purchase food???
I have one concern about the Director of Shepherd's Center. How can H spend money to buy a television station to promote himself with the proceeds from this non-profit? Interesting!
I have led two churches over the past decade plus to support Of One Accord. Our Association along with our State Convention could not be more thankful for the partnership we have with Sheldon and Of One Accord.
God's work is filled with challenges as much as it is with opportunities. Discernment over direction, progress, and responsibility is a way that we reaffirm our relationships with our leaders. It should be entered into prayerfully and with an attitude of love and care. It can be a challenge to work with numerous personalities as we all have our strengths and weaknesses. This ministry has skills that help to make its ministry the success that it is. The leadership and staff are warm, friendly, empathetic, good listeners, problem solvers, enthusiastic, gentle, persistent, flexible, ethical, and trustworthy. The Director has a serious religious vocation, a strong faith in God, and a close relationship with Christ. It is always a joy to work with this ministry and I would highly recommend it. This ministry is a ministry of compassion where extending Jesus' love is the highest priority of all.
This is a great nonprofit who truly cares about the community in which it serves. Of One Accord has a medical mission, a few food banks in different communities to help serve the underprivileged and homeless with emergency services, a diaper ministry, a mother's ministry to help at-risk moms learn basic child care and needs, clothing ministries, and a few others with a outreaching hand of the Lord's guidance and ways. An A+ service for the community.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/25qxstT8DJcRrxyh8
Hancock County is the lowest income county in Tennessee with fully 1/3 of it's population out of work. Of One Accord Ministry finds besides operating its daily food pantry, mass distributions help homeowners direct needed resources towards food and utilities.
The church represented a mission team 2 counties away that brought a 53' trailer the previous day loaded with clothing, household items, furniture, shoes, blankets and comforters and linens, toys and bicycles.
300 people were waiting at the door as we opened. A truck of food boxes was outside and a local group that restores gently used bicycles.
Oh and a meal was prepared for every attendee. At the end of the day- after hugs and smiles, and BIG thank-you's, people had hauled off their new treasures, tables and other borrowed items were returned to the agency that loaned them and we were off to see a much needed home repair which will be worked on next week.
Of One Accord, Hancock County serves, Tennessee's lowest income county in Tennessee. Fully 1/3 of the county is unemployed. A group of amazing caring staff operate a food pantry, but often do food, clothing and merchandise distributions.
The Thrift Store (The Shepherd's Corner) is an asset to Sneedville. https://photos.app.goo.gl/t1CD7BGNtCgaM6YC9
Each year over 400,000 pounds of food distributed from this location.
This is a sample of a distribution. Every penny we can save people on very low assistance checks helps them stretch dollars to pay utilities. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FVHFu5tkZXTBP6PB8 It is common in this Appalachian County to still find people without running water and indoor bathrooms.
My name is Jennifer and I have worked with Of One Accord Ministry since 2015. I started out in Home Repair but ended up in Christmas for the Children (CFTC), which has been my favorite ministry there. I’m happy to have been able to be a part in serving the needy children in our area these last 8+ years. Many children wake up on Christmas morning to a huge sack full of clothes, gifts, blankets, and backpacks full of surprises, school supplies, hygiene items, etc. because of what this program has been able to provide. There have been so many good people who have been a part of the program’s operations. I often tell people who say that I’ve been a great help or have made it what it is that “I’m only as good as ALL the people who helped, which has been SO many. I take no credit for any of it. I’m glad to have served the children.
I also have experience working in our ministry center and Thrift Store. I have helped with counseling in the Food Pantry. I have worked in the store to stock shelves, clean, organize, and price items. I have helped deliver meals to the elderly signed up through our Elderly Meals Program. I have helped teams put together VBS, prayer walks, home visits, and so much more.
One of my favorite areas was working in the book section. I was responsible for going through books to make sure they were ok to be sold in our Thrift Store. I’m a certified teacher (prior to coming to the ministry), so I was always in “Book Heaven” while working in this area. I do miss working in the book area, but I still shop this area for books for myself, my students, my grandchildren, etc. The books are very affordable compared to paying big store or online prices. So is the clothing and household items. Inflation has made it tough for families to afford full prices on many things, including food.
During my 2 years in Home Repair, I oversaw more than 40 projects in our community along with many more in our neighboring community where we also have a thrift store and food pantry. In Home Repair, I worked with teams traveling here from all over the US. Many of those same teams still partner with us and visit at Christmas time to help shop, wrap gifts, and host parties for our more than 1,000 children and their families served each year.
Many families here in Appalachia have benefited from the help OOA has been fortunate to provide through its many programs. The only downfall or disadvantage I ever saw within some of the programs was lack of funding. If we had more funds, we could have certainly helped more people with Home Repairs. However, God miraculously provided things “out of nowhere” it seemed, and still continues to do to this day.
Of One Accord not only provides assistance to the most needy, but the staff there care about the people we serve. I have been “behind the scenes” many times since I have worked and still currently work there. I’ve witnessed our staff going above and beyond to haul and deliver, set up for events, box food, sort and price clothing while pushing heavy carts full from the basement to the upstairs area to set out, etc.
Our staff doesn’t get near the credit they deserve. However, many of them are just like myself and don’t prefer any pats on the back or shout outs because we do it out of love for our fellow man.
The Director, Sheldon, started this ministry from his home more than 30 years ago. It has grown into what it is today because of his love for people, his prayers, and trusting in the Lord to always provide while being persistent in seeing the ministry be successful in helping the most needy.
I’ve always said if there was one man I would go to about any need I had or just to pray for me, It would be Sheldon. He’s a man after God’s own heart, regardless of the much criticism he often gets from outsiders or those who leave on bad terms because of something he has tried to do right in God’s eyes.
We often get persecuted being in ministry. That’s a given. However, with all the persecution, the desire to help in the community and knowing that we have been a blessing to others, outweighs any of that.
That’s why I give this ministry 5 stars. I’ve been apart of it and see what goes on that many others don’t. I know the people who work there. I know what it takes to operate many aspects of the ministry. I appreciate all of it so much.
I have known and worked with Of One Accord for many years. In doing so, I have witnessed first hand how this ministry has and continued to change many lives in Hawkins, Hancock, and other in our area. This has been done through giving food out from all four of their locations. Partnering with other organizations to provide food for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Providing Christmas presents through Christmas for the Children program. Emergency food and clothing. And through home repair program. All of this is done by God and for the glory to God. And now that will be focus of a new ROKU channel - Appalachian Christian Network - that is being done through area churches, national speakers, and Of One Accord.
I have worked with Of One Accord for 2 and 1/2 years. First at the front counter, next with the Boutique and now with the Office.
I have first hand experience with the day to day operations of this agency.
We have 3 food pantries, a Medical Mission, Diaper pantry, Home Repair, 2 thrift stores, and Christmas for the Children. As well as Global Mission. CFTC served over 1500 families in 2022. Home Repair is in full swing now, helping those who cannot afford needed repairs. Our food pantries serve hundreds of low income families each month.
Of One Accord is essential to our community, to those who struggle to provide basic needs.
The thrift store has affordable clothing and home needs. They also have affordable pharmaceuticals through a partnership with a pharmaceutical company.
Of One Accord sponsors free dental and visions clinics.
And all this for 35 years. That is a testament to the Lords hand in all this.
Please pray for them and the people they serve.
Personally, I find this organization amazing! The thrift store is clean and it is provided for the community that can't purchase items at retail. But the funds go right back into the ministry to the oppressed communities they are trying to help. Our team of 20 leaders actually came to a prayer event in East Tennessee, and we were treated with honor. They allowed us to stay at the mission housing area they are trying to build for teams who come to help distribute food and resources to the most poverty stricken areas of Appalachia. They didn't charge us a penny to stay, and fed us a wonderful breakfast. Some of our team gave to their ministry needs, and we will definitely be back. Great people with a huge heart!
Review from Guidestar
I volunteer at the Church Hill One Accord Food Bank. It really does my heart good to see people getting the help they need in the community. I have met many people and all have been very appreciative of the food provided. The workers are friendly and dedicated and are always courteous to the patrons. The facility is kept very clean by the staff and the staff is very efficient in the way the food is distributed.
The only complaint I have heard from people receiving help is that they cannot call the Church Hill One Accord Food Bank office because of the lack of a telephone.
Review from Guidestar
This ministry has helped our community and family immensely. Words cannot describe how thankful we are to have the food bank in Church Hill. The staff are wonderful, helpful and God's blessings to us in the community.
Review from Guidestar
Being an “insider”, I can say with assurity Of One Accord Ministry does a fantastic job helping folks in the community. I’m blessed to be able to see and hear stories of those whose lives have been impacted through one of the many wonderful programs. The thrift store has recently been updated and looks awesome! Many families are able to purchase items they need (clothes, health and beauty products, books, etc) at an affordable price. OOA is such a blessing to the entire community as well as surrounding communities who have folks that travel here to look for good deals.
Review from Guidestar
I have been involved with this ministry in one aspect or another for 20 years. This year Of One Accord will be celebrating it's 30th anniversary of serving the families of Hawkins and Hancock Counties.
Through out the 20 years I have been a client, a volunteer, and a staff member. One thing that has been consistent in this time is the willingness of those involved to serve those in need with the love of Jesus.
I have volunteered in several of the programs that Of One Accord provides. Through out the years I have delivered hot meals for the Neighborly Meals program to elderly and handicapped clients that can no longer prepare their own meals. This program delivers with in a 5 mile radius of down town Rogersville and has served up to 60 clients per day, five days a week. I have also helped in preparing and packaging those meals.
I have volunteered with the Christmas for the Children Program. I have helped to shop for gifts for the children, helped wrap gifts, and helped with the parties as the gifts were distributed. These clients also receive a box of food to prepare their Christmas dinner. Each box has either a ham or turkey with all the fixings for their meal. My grandchildren have also been a recipient of this program.
I have volunteered in the emergency food program where clients can come once a month for a box of food that will help supplement their needs. Each box of food has nutritious foods, as well as some snacks that normally will cover about a weeks worth of meals. I have interviewed clients and prayed with them and encouraged them to the best of my ability. I have also volunteered with stocking the shelves of the pantry and preparing the boxes for the client. There have been times I was also a recipient of this program.
I have worked in the thrift store as a staff member. There are times that a customer becomes a client as we talk to them and learn their needs and pray with them. At any given time our staff will stop what they are doing and gather around someone who is sick or has a problem that they want us to pray for. The thrift store provides much of the resources we use to do the programs that we do. It is a business and is ran in a business like manner, however we are a ministry first and all staff is capable of ministering to the needs of our customers.
My main job for Of One Accord in the past 20 years has been as the bookkeeper and office manager. As the bookkeeper I have prayed for funds to come in to do the programs that we do and I have rejoiced when those funds came in and I have juggled the bills when funding was low. Our books are audited by an independent auditor each year. We have never had any bad findings.
I have volunteered in excess of 8,000 hours over the time I have also been a staff member. I volunteer those extra hours because this is a ministry that does work that I truly believe in. I consider it one of the greatest blessing of my life to be a part of this organization.
Review from Guidestar
I completed an internship at Of One Accord as part of my program requirements at East Tennessee State University. It was a very beneficial and rewarding experience. As a grassroots organization, Of One Accord works closely with community members providing them opportunities for employment, volunteering, and service learning. The organization is leaving a lasting legacy in Northeast TN!
Review from Guidestar
These are photos of The Shepherd's Center thrift store in beautiful downtown, historic Rogersville, Tennessee.
https://goo.gl/photos/1kyJ78neQaDsQUjQ8
The sales of The Shepherd's Center offsets all overhead expenses and puts all monies back into it's programs which served over 105,525 people in 2015. Programs include operating 3 emergency food pantries, 1 meals on wheels program, 2 summer feeding program for kids, hosting summer mission groups that do home repairs, medical and dental clinics and who do distributions for those in need. A medical clinic is in operation which focus' on patients with diabetes. Over $3,837,818 worth of goods and services were given out in 2015 to people in need in Appalachia.
Review from Guidestar
I think it is one of the most unorganized organizations I have ever seen. Their thrift store is filthy; their community room is cluttered with so much junk. The outside of their building in Rogersville is an eye sore. If you asked questions about their services, some of their staff are rude. Although they do a lot for their community, I think they try to do too much and should focus on only a few things so they can get organized.
Review from Guidestar
8 years ago my husband left me and my 2 children. I had always been a stay at home mom and when he left he took all the money out of our account I had NEVER had to ask anyone for help and did not know how to but a family member told me about Of One Accord Ministry/ The Shepherd's Center and their food pantry. I went and the lady that interviewed me was so compassionate and she truly shared Jesus with me. They not only met my physical need but ministered to my broken spirit! I THANK GOD for Of One Accord and all they do.
I coudn't find any way of contacking the people who do the repairs, so I have to say it didn't do me any good.
Of One Accord Ministry serves two Appalachian Counties, Hawkins and Hancock in upper East Tennessee with food assistance offering three conveninetly located food pantries. Each year nearly 35 tractor trailer truck loads of food are distributed to those in need. Hancock County is Tennessee's lowest income county and the 27th lowest income county in Tn. Of One Accord offers a meals on wheels program for Rogersville area residents and the summer feeding program for youth in three towns in the county. Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes are also a part of the food program operated by this organization. Of One Accord serves some 70,000 people annually through food programs, a free medical clinic, health fairs, eyeglass distributions, a home repair program, a county-wide Christmas program and several other programs.