History

Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. was chartered by the State of Tennessee on December 9, 1983.  It was organized
for the purpose of providing short-term emergency assistance to individuals and families in Summer County, Tennessee.

Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. (Christian Association for the Relief of Economic Suffering) serves approximately 12,500 individuals per year by proving assistance with food, shelter, prescription medications, clothing and household items, utilities, transportation, Christmas for Kids, and general assistance for anyone suffering from economic
and financial distress.

The idea for Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. grew out of a meeting of the Gallatin Ministerial Association in September 1983.  Pastors were concerned that the existing mode of helping persons in need was defective.  Each church acted independently in responding to the many appeals for help from individuals.  There was often a duplication of services and a pattern of repetition as the same persons presented themselves over and over.  The result was
poor stewardship of the limited resources. So the Association, feeling the time for action had come, asked the
minister of the First Presbyterian Church, to explore all possible avenues to develop a plan to address the
situation. Each pastor agreed to recruit a member of his or her congregation to serve on the exploratory
board.

Several meetings followed, and on November 29, 1983 the first formal meeting convened at the Gallatin
Church of Christ with seven churches represented.  The minutes of the meeting stated, “the main objective
of this organization will be to serve as a central clearing house for the participating churches to eliminate
duplication of services such as emergency food, clothing, and help with rent and utilities.” During the last
twenty-nine years, Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. has continued the main objective of the first formal meeting as well as developing into the hub for the entire Gallatin area for all needed social services. 
 
Today, the primary source of funds used for  benevolent services is derived from charitable monetary
donations by churches, individuals, charitable foundations, and local businesses and, from the sales of
donated items to our Thrift Store. Donations of new or gently used clothing, household items, and canned
food, etc. can be made at our Thrift Store location at 330 Durham Ave. North or by calling our pick-up service
at (615) 452-1601 or (615) 452-5732.