Picnic FAQs

What to Expect 

  • This is a high stimulation event with lots of noise and interaction. 

  • We serve about 100 people. This event is direct interaction with our homeless/unsheltered/hungry neighbors.

  • This event monthly on the 2nd Sunday of every month. 

  • The picnic is from 3-5 but volunteers work from 2-6. You can work the entire event or sign up for first shift or second shift, 2-4:30 or 4:30-6).

  • This event is outside in the heat or cold. If there is scheduled heavy rain I will make the call early that morning as to whether we will cancel. 

  • These events are held at Sam Duff Park in South Knoxville at 4060 Chapman Hwy. It is directly behind the Checkers on Chapman near Moody. Our set up location will be communicated in an email a couple days beforehand.

  • This work done mostly standing and as a group.

  • They'll be about 20 volunteers at this event.

  • There is ample free parking but the park terrain may make wheelchair access limited.

  • Sam Duff Park is on the 41 Chapman Hwy bus line with two stops within a 5 minute walk.

  • Masking is encouraged and N95s are provided.

  • Name tags are provided. Please write your name and pronouns on them.

  • There are gendered restrooms at the park. There may be access to Knox Pride's all-gender restrooms.

  • Gloves, utensils, food, tables, and other supplies will be provided. Just bring yourself and your enthusiasm.

  • If you insist on bringing something, we can always use side dishes or individually wrapped desserts.

Picnic FAQs

There are several teams at the picnic. Pick the sign-up form for the one you are most interested in.

  • Food Team (1st Shift): Unload and Unpack the team bin. Set up tables and chairs. Serve food to our guests. 

  • Food Team (2nd Shift): Plate up any leftover food and place it in the fridge. Organize used utensils and containers into used food box. Fill out the inventory sheet of remaining supplies and repack team bin in an orderly fashion. Place tables/chairs/bins next to the grey truck. Pick up trash and set bags next to trash bins by restrooms. 

  • Clothes Team (1st Shift): Open clothes bins and organize clothes on tables. Set out of season clothes aside in a separate bin. Assist guests with sizes and clothes types. Label clothes with size stickers.

  • Clothes Team (2nd Shift): Assist guests with sizes and clothes types. Labels clothes with size stickers. Complete the inventory form of remaining items. Repack bins in an orderly fashion and place it and the table next to the grey truck.

  • Hygiene Team (1st Shift): Unpack bins and organize the table in orderly fashion. Assist guests ensuring that items are distributed fairly. Note items that are asked for that we do not have. Note most needed items.

  • Hygiene Team (2nd Shift):  Assist guests ensuring that items are distributed fairly. Note items that are asked for that we do not have. Note most needed items. Fill out the inventory form of remaining items. Repack bins in an orderly fashion. Place tables/bins next to the grey truck.

  • School Supplies Team (1st Shift): Unloads and sets up the table. Unload the team bin and organize school supplies on the table. Assist guests ensuring that items are distributed fairly. Make note of any items that are asked for that we do not have. Make note of most needed items.

  • School Supplies Team (2nd Shift): This team assist guests ensuring that items are distributed fairly. Make note of any items that are asked for that we do not have. Make note of most needed items. Fill out the inventory form and places it in the bin. Repack team bins in an orderly fashion and places it and the table next to the truck.

  • Team Leads (1st and 2nd shifts): These folks help oversee the teams, answer questions, pitch-in if short handed, and communicate with Donna and Skylar about any issues, problems or suggestions. They help facilitate set up and tear down. Team Leads also observe our practices/procedures/policies to give suggestions and feedback to Donna and Skylar for how to continuously improve the event.

  • Floaters (1st and 2nd shifts): These folks float among teams where needed. They also assists guests to the hair salon at the Knox Pride Center. They also gather feedback, questions or issues and communicate with Donna or Skylar.


Sound cool?

Complete our volunteer form and sign up for an event.


Fridge


What to Expect 

  • You can sign up for one meal a month or more if you like. :)

  • We make enough portions to serve about 30 people at the fridge; Lunch is delivered between 11am-1pm and Dinner is delivered between 5pm - 7:30pm during the summer, 5pm-6pm during the winter.

  • This volunteer opportunity involves direct interaction with our homeless/unsheltered/hungry neighbors. You may fill the fridge or you may hand out food to those waiting and then fill the fridge with what's left.

  • The fridge is inside a large metal box next to the restrooms at Sam Duff Park in South Knoxville at 4060 Chapman Hwy, directly behind the Checkers on Chapman near Moody Ave.

  • Sam Duff Park is on the 41 Chapman Hwy bus line with two stops within a 5 minute walk.

    Fridge FAQs

  • It's open 24/7 to anyone needing food.

  • It was installed as a collaboration between Knox Pride, the Knox County Health Dept, and City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department.

  • Meals are coordinated by Knoxville Rainbow Library; but anyone can bring food even if not affiliated with KRL.

  • There aren't cameras or monitoring; anyone can use the fridge. The fridge works on the honor system and we ask our guests to only take what they need. If you see someone removing everything from the fridge please let us know. Do not intervene.

  • There are several types of people who use the fridge: People who are homeless; People who live in their cars; people who live in motels; people who have homes but need food.

  • Community Fridges are becoming popular nationwide due to increases in food costs, the housing crisis, and stagnant wages. The motto is "Take what you need; leave what you can."

  • No raw meat please. No open bottles of milk or juice. No alcohol. No expired food.

  • Please do not leave boxes of food outside the fridge. If you have non-perishables to donate, please donate them to Knox Pride's Community Pantry. They are open Tuesday - Thursday 11-4 and Friday - Saturday Noon-6. 


Planning your meal:

  • Please bring enough to feed about 25-30 people. 

  • You can bring whatever food you like as long as it is individually portioned, ready to eat with utensils. Folks who use the fridge do not have access to a microwave, sink, kitchen, or utensils.

  • Foods that we have brought include:
    --hotdogs with buns, hamburgers, individual cereals and milks, cheese sandwiches, ham sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, PBJ sandwiches, wraps;
    --tuna and crackers, egg salad and crackers, pita and hummus, boiled eggs, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, french bread pizza bites;
    --spaghetti, stir fry and rice, chicken/beef teriyaki, chicken taco bowl (rice, beans, chicken, corn); bean burritos, casseroles;
    --yogurt parfaits, bagels & jam/cream cheese, toast & jam. 

  • Fresh fruit is always a hit: oranges, bananas, apples, grapes, peaches, pears, strawberries, watermelon slices.

  • Foods that are soft and easily eaten are preferred as many of our guests have issues that make it difficult to bite and chew crunchy/hard foods. 

  • In summer months try to bring foods that are cool; in winter casseroles, spaghetti and hot meals are preferred.

  • Food is available at Knox Pride if food/money is a barrier for you. Knox Pride has the following food in bulk from their partnership with Second Harvest:
    --spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, instant potatoes, macaroni noodles, mac and cheese (box)
    --peanut butter, corn muffin mix, crackers, shelf stable milk, instant oatmeal, pancake mix
    --baked beans (can), black beans (dry), jasmine rice, brown rice, brown rice
    --peaches (can), pineapple (can), apple sauce (can)
    --chicken (pouch), tuna (can)
    --cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken noodle soup
    --red beans and rice (can), white chicken chili (can)
    --Contact info@knoxpride.com and copy rainbowlibraryknox@gmail.com to request a box of food.

  • On Fridays KP sometimes gets fresh vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc. Check the KP facebook for availability. We also get random donations of bulk vegetables to the fridge; watch the KRL facebook for calls for volunteers to process/cook with unexpected veggies.

  • KRL has supplies that you can use: hamburger foam containers 6x6, hoagie foam containers 9x3, forks, spoons, wet wipe baggies, 2 oz portion cups/lids, 8 oz plastic bowl/lids, 12 oz plastic bowl/lids, mayo, mustard, relish, ketchup packs, sandwich/quart/gallon bags, kitchen knives, cutting boards. Contact us to make arrangements.

  • If you'd like to volunteer but need something other than what's listed above, we can provide a small stipend so that funds are not a barrier to your ability to volunteer. Please email us to request (RainbowLibraryKnox@gmail.com).    

Preparing Food:

  • Preparing, portioning and transporting 30 meals will take you more time than you think. Give yourself plenty of time. :)

  • Place the utensil inside the container. If loose utensils are left in the fridge there's no guarantee that each person will get one.

  • Label the containers with what's inside (note if it has meat or nuts or other allergens). You can write/print stickers if it is easier than writing on each container. Alternatively, you can write/print the meal/ingredients on a single piece of paper and tape it on the inside of the fridge.

Bringing Food:

  • The fridge is in a big metal box at the Sam Duff Park restrooms. 

  • Sam Duff Park is directly behind Checkers on Chapman Hwy. You can use the address 4100 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920 for your GPS.

  • Please wipe down the fridge handles and shelves if you have time.

  • Most folks will wait until you fill the fridge and leave until they get food. If you'd like to hand out meals, you are welcome to, but it is not required or expected.

  • If you are able to bring water, capri suns, gatorades, flavored drink mixes that is greatly appreciated. 

  • We have been giving out reusable water bottles and there is a water filling station at the fridge, so flavored drink mixes are an easy way to provide drinks without having to buy or unload big packs of drinks.

  • Put your safety first at all times. If something looks off, just drive away and call Donna at 865-773-8711. 

  • At times there is shouting or arguing amongst folks who use the fridge. Please do not call the police for this. 

  • Do call the police if someone is being/has been physically harmed and any situations where your better judgement compels you to call. This has not happened while any of our volunteers are there.

  • ALWAYS put your safety first. Do not try to intervene. If there is an incident, please let us know. 

  • The park closes at dusk; please do not bring food after dark.

  • There are some people who take food back to their friends at a camp or to family members, so you may see them take a couple meals, which is okay. However, it is not okay for someone to take everything out of the fridge, especially if they have a car. If this happens please note the person/car and let us know. Please do not intervene.

  • Please take a photo of the stocked fridge and post it to that day's menu post on our Facebook page, or DM our page, or text it to 865-630-2346. We use the photo to 1) let our neighbors know the fridge is filled. 2) help us keep track of how much we are providing to the community so that when we write reports or grants we can show our impact.

  • Know that people will eat that day because you. Thank you! <3

Complete Volunteer Form:
https://forms.gle/Vz7vKvEkhUpHVL4P7

Sign-Up: 
https://calendar.app.google/WkJHdBfJR2RSDseC6

  • Choose the lunch/dinner/snack slot on the form, even if it says a different time than what you plan to bring it (it's just a limitation of our current booking system). 

  • The sign-up form will ask you what you plan to bring and what time you plan to arrive.