Dear Friends of Jubilee:

We continue to be excited about ministry opportunities in this region and that God has placed Jubilee as a partner in reaching out to the people of this region. Changes are taking place at Jubilee and we anticipate both continued and expanded ministry opportunities among our youth, senior citizens, and homeless. The Jubilee Board of Directors recently affirmed what are to be our five core values which will determine our focus for ministry and outreach. They include; food security, shelter, access to clean water, personal and public health, and advancing self-worth. At Jubilee we want to present Jesus Christ as the foundation of all we do, to aid in whatever way we can to encourage spiritual development of those to whom we minister. While we continue to have a target population of Youth and seniors, we plan to expand our work among the marginalized and homeless. In order for us to continue in our work here, and to grow, we need the help of our friends in Christ. While most areas of the county have suffered from the economic downturn, with factories closing and rising unemployment, our area has been stressed even further. But with your help we can continue to serve the people of this Appalachian area with our programs. Such as:

            Mobile Food Pantry: Jubilee is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to continue our monthly Mobile Food Pantry, meeting on the third Tuesday of each month.  This involves a distribution at two (2) sites in Hancock County serving on average 75 families per site. Because of generous donations from various churches we have also been able to supply families with needed personal hygiene items, paper products, and other necessary household items.

            Meals-on-Wheels and Community Meals: One of the new and most exciting areas of ministry for Jubilee is a possible united effort with Tennessee Human Resources to provide meals-on-wheels to our county, perhaps even into surrounding counties. Plans are also under way to secure a location in downtown Sneedville to provide a daily hot meal for anyone who needs one. All of this will be processed at our re-designed commercial kitchen at Treadway.

            Clothing give a ways: providing clothing has been an ongoing ministry of Jubilee. We are partnering with our local United Methodist ministry, Overhome Clothing Center, which provides new and used clothes and shoes to school children and their families. This local ministry has continued to expand and we are excited about our partnership with them.

            Flat Gap School Kitchen: as mentioned earlier, we have extensive plans for the use of our commercial kitchen facility in Treadway. Plans are developing in how this facility can be re-worked so that we can expand our food processing and preparation to better reach the food needs of our area. Along with the meals-on-wheels we are anticipating a cooperative effort with the St. Andrew Society and its gleaning efforts. This may also provide food supplies to families and other agencies during harvest seasons. A “country store” is being planned at this location as well, something of a cross between a country store and a farm market. The Clinch Appalachian Artisans Cooperative, a longtime partner with Jubilee, will also have an outlet store there.

            Work Camp program: our work camp program is currently being revised and expanded. Jubilee is leading the way in establishing a cooperative program with several other groups which provide similar ministries of home repair and housing needs in this region. By working with Appalachia Service Project, Adventures in Missions, and Of One Accord Ministries, we should be able to better serve those needing help the most.

Clean water: in just recent weeks a church in Middle Tennessee has indicated their willingness to help Jubilee provide water filtration systems to residents who live with bacteria infested water systems. It is almost inconceivable that American homes have dangerous water to drink. This long-time problem can be addressed through this new effort and ministry. If you are interested in being part of this effort please contact us here at Jubilee. As this plan develops we will pass more information along.

Health Fair: our hopes are to have a health fair just before schools begins this year, with attention on the needs of our children. While locally we do have an elementary school health clinic, there is a great need for preventive health care. In conjunction with this, we appreciate the continual giving of personal care and health products which we are able to distribute as needed.

At Jubilee we plan to continue many of the ministries of which you are aware. Be assured that as we continue to review and expand the ministry efforts of Jubilee we are doing so as good stewards of your financial and product sharing. We thank God that he has allowed us to minister in the few examples mentioned above and in various other ways throughout the year. And we thank God for all of our friends who continue to support Jubilee Project. We continue to need your financial giving and prayerful support, as we move forward with new leadership and mission work.

 May this New Year bring renewed hope and joy in your homes and place of worship. And, above all else, pray for Jubilee that we will be the vehicle for God’s grace in our region.

In Christ,

Terry Schnell

Interim Director