GraceWorks Ministries: Neighbor Serving Neighbor in Williamson County, TN
Since 1995, GraceWorks Ministries has been a source of support for people in crisis across Williamson County, Tennessee. What began as a collaboration between churches to provide holiday gifts has grown into a vital community resource center offering food, shelter, and essential support services to thousands of local families each year. Through its guiding principle of “Neighbor serving Neighbor, by the power of God’s grace,” GraceWorks continues to serve with compassion, dignity, and purpose.
“GraceWorks is the organic result of believers coming together to love their neighbors,” said Alicia Bell, Chief Executive Officer of GraceWorks. “We have seen the power of loving your neighbors during their most vulnerable moments. It changes lives and hearts.”
A Mission Rooted in Community
GraceWorks’ roots go back to a community-led effort called The Manger, in which several area churches joined together to provide Christmas gifts for children in need. As the story goes, a local pastor asked a simple but important question: “Who is there for these families after Christmas is over?” That conversation sparked the vision for a year-round organization that could meet needs far beyond the holiday season. In 1995, GraceWorks was officially founded to carry out this mission, uniting churches, volunteers, and donors in service of their neighbors throughout the year.
Nearly three decades later, GraceWorks remains a place where families can find practical help and a reminder that they are not alone.
The Summer Hunger Crisis: Three Months, Zero School Meals
Each year, thousands of local students rely on free and reduced-price school meals as their main source of daily nutrition. During summer break, those meals disappear, placing new strain on already-stretched family budgets.
This summer, GraceWorks launched Three Months, Zero School Meals: The Crisis You Don’t See, a campaign to ensure no child in Williamson County goes hungry.
“More than 3,600 kids in Williamson County could spend this summer hungry,” Bell explained. “And this year’s crisis is extra urgent. Food bank donations are down, and government food program funding has been cut.”
According to a Deloitte and No Kid Hungry study, summer food insecurity is linked to higher dropout rates, chronic health issues, and increased stress for parents. Many low-income households say they will have to choose between paying utility bills and buying groceries this summer. “Sixty-nine percent will have to make that choice,” Bell said. “That’s a heartbreaking situation. Thankfully, GraceWorks can help with both. Our goal is to bring relief, and right now, we’re focused on filling those bellies.”
Every dollar makes a difference. First-time donations will be matched up to $10,000 by the George Shinn Foundation, doubling the impact for local families who need help the most. Visit GraceWorks Ministries to give and help fill empty plates with hope this summer.
“This is about more than just food,” Bell said. “It’s about potential. We want every local child to be set up for success.”
Core Programs Meeting Year-Round Needs
While the summer campaign addresses a seasonal and urgent need, GraceWorks operates year-round to serve neighbors in crisis. Their ongoing programs reach thousands of individuals annually, offering not just food but also housing support, essential items, and a renewed sense of dignity. While many programs primarily serve Williamson County residents, all food assistance efforts are open to anyone in need, no matter where they live. Emergency support services like rent, utility aid, and counseling are available to Williamson County residents.
GraceWorks Thrift Store
The GraceWorks Thrift Store, located at 104 Southeast Pkwy in Franklin, sells affordable, high-quality donated goods, including clothing, furniture, antiques, and name-brand items, and all proceeds support GraceWorks programs. Shoppers find great deals while helping fund services for neighbors in need.
Donations are a key part of the store’s success. Community members are encouraged to donate clean, gently used items during business hours. Free furniture pickup is available within Williamson County for items in good condition.
Food Assistance
GraceWorks offers four main access points for food support. The Self-Shopping Food Pantry allows families to select groceries monthly in an experience designed to respect dignity and choice. The Mobile Food Pantry in Fairview serves households on a first-come-first-served basis with drive-through distributions. Fuel Bags and Snack Boxes provide weekend meal bags to children each week to help bridge nutrition gaps. During the holidays, the program provides groceries so families can prepare complete Thanksgiving and Christmas meals together.
“At every turn, we make sure families feel welcomed, loved, and supported,” Bell said. “One of the ways our neighbors appreciate this most is through our self-shopping appointments. They get to pick what works for their family and even take home fresh flowers.”
“We know that getting food on their table is critical, but we also know that restoring dignity and hope to these families is what is really needed,” she added.
Housing and Utility Support
Middle Tennessee’s rising rent and utility costs have pushed more families into crisis. GraceWorks partners with landlords to assist neighbors who qualify for rent assistance within Williamson County. Assistance is also provided to eligible households who have fallen behind on utility bills, with support coordinated through partnerships with local utility companies and churches to help meet urgent needs. For individuals and families who have lost housing altogether, GraceWorks offers referral services to connect them with additional community resources and shelters.
“We had a mother who left an abusive relationship,” Bell shared. “Our shelter program helped her with first month’s rent, utilities, food, and furnishings. She told us, ‘My home is my home because of GraceWorks.’ She is now working full-time and raising her kids.”
Clothing, Essentials, and Infant Care
GraceWorks helps neighbors maintain stability through a variety of essential support services. Our Little Angels program provides car seats and pack ’n plays for infants during their first year. Clothing and household vouchers give families access to free clothing and furniture from the GraceWorks Thrift Store. For those facing extreme temperatures, heaters and air conditioners are available to qualifying households. GraceWorks also helps cover part of the cost of professional counseling sessions and connects neighbors to additional resources through a referral network of community partners.
“Show Dignity is a core value,” Bell said. “Jesus restored so much hope by showing dignity to people who had stopped believing in themselves. The belief that you are valued and loved lasts longer than any item we can give.”
Community Events That Make an Impact
GraceWorks hosts a series of seasonal events throughout the year to engage donors, fund programs, and provide essential support directly to families in need.
One of the most popular is Super Sale Saturday, held on the second Saturday of each month. This thrift store event draws budget-conscious shoppers from across the community and generates important revenue to fund GraceWorks programs.
The annual Turkey Trot is held every Thanksgiving morning. This multi-award-winning race, featuring a 10K, 5K, and Kids’ Turkey Chase, brings together more than 4,000 participants who run through Cool Springs to raise funds that support food, shelter, and other services for local families.
In December, GraceWorks organizes The Manger, a free Christmas shopping experience for eligible Williamson County families. Parents select new gifts for their children in a welcoming, store-like setting created with the help of community donations and volunteers.
“My favorite part is how the parents feel when they are shopping,” Bell said. “We are very careful to create a fun and life-giving experience for them. They have a scheduled time, they get to take their time shopping from a stocked floor of brand-new gifts, and they leave with five or more gifts for each child, all wrapped by volunteers. The life that we see restored in their hearts during this shopping gets me every Christmas.”
Every spring, the Church Breakfast brings together local church partners to build support, raise awareness, and strengthen connections across the faith community. The Benefit Dinner & Auction is an elegant evening of dinner and charity auctions that raises critical funds for GraceWorks’ core mission. Finally, Golf Fore GraceWorks invites teams to play and compete at Brentwood Country Club in a peer-to-peer fundraising event that helps sustain program services throughout the year.
Building a Stronger Community Together
As a leading Williamson County nonprofit, GraceWorks thrives on collaboration with churches, schools, civic groups, and businesses that help provide funding, volunteers, and advocacy.
“We are a community resource center truly driven by community involvement,” Bell said. “We’re honored to be this unifying host, bringing people together for greater impact.”
Each week, about 350 volunteers stock shelves, greet neighbors, pack boxes, and keep the thrift store running. “Your time is your most valuable gift,” Bell added. “Our overhead is very lean, only 9%, because of our volunteers and because our thrift store generates nearly $2 million a year to cover costs.”
To further expand its reach, GraceWorks has introduced new ways for the community to participate. The GraceWorks Thrift Store recently extended its hours and is now open until 6 pm Monday through Saturday, with donations accepted until 5 pm. Free furniture pickup is available throughout Williamson County to make giving easier.
GraceWorks also launched a giving initiative called Start with a Cart, inviting donors to sponsor a cart of groceries for $50, a gift that would retail for over $400. Supporters can choose to make a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly contribution to help sustain up to 12 families a year.
“We’re inviting people to sponsor a cart and help feed a family,” Bell said. “It’s one small act that can create a ripple effect of change.”
GraceWorks leadership hopes these efforts will inspire ongoing community involvement and provide more stable support for food assistance and other vital programs.
Support GraceWorks: Help Your Neighbors Thrive
Meeting basic needs with dignity takes more than good intentions; it takes a caring community. Whether you’re an individual, business, church, or civic group, there are many ways to join GraceWorks in serving neighbors.
Support can include financial gifts given online, by mail, or in person; donations of food, clothing, or gently used items; and shopping at the thrift store, where every purchase helps fund programs. Participating in events like the Turkey Trot, the Benefit Dinner & Auction, and Golf Fore GraceWorks is another meaningful way to support GraceWorks’ mission.
Volunteers are always needed. You can volunteer regularly or join for a one-time experience. Sharing GraceWorks’ story or praying for neighbors in crisis are also powerful ways to help. “GraceWorks has lived on the power of God’s provision for 30 years,” Bell said. “If you are inspired to be a part of our mission, come check us out.”
To learn more or get involved, visit Graceworks Ministries.
