Westside
Unitarian
Universalist
Church
Love Unites - Caring Connects - Community Thrives
Justice & Generosity
To live our values to empower others, Westside partners with several local organizations that focus on justice, equity, and improving the lives of others.
The Bottom
The Bottom is a Black-owned, Black-centered community center in Knoxville. They offer art classes, podcast space, summer camps, a book store, and more. While not affiliated directly with Westside, we offer occasional financial support through our Share the Plate program, and as-needed support for their endeavors, including promotion of events and volunteer resources. We hope to continue to grow this relationship in the future.
Learn more about The Bottom at their website.
One of our members at a
recent Community
Appreciation
event at
The Bottom.
Current Generosity Project:
Spring 2024
We just wrapped up an important generosity project. We will announce a new project soon.
Bridging the Gap
Samantha Monday of the Knox County Sheriff's Department has ongoing needs for items that will help her clients while they seek treatment and begin to transform their lives.
Current Needs Feb. 2024
M and Large men’s underwear (more Med than anything)
Men’s M and Large sweats/stretchy pants
Men’s 32x32 and 32x30 pants
Women’s underwear size 6,7
Women’s sports bra’s 34, 36
Women’s leggings
Shoes men’s size 9- just one pair
Ongoing Needs
-List of needed items-
Men’s underwear- M, L, XL**
Men’s pants (32-34, 34-34, 30-34, 30-32, etc)
Socks (M/F)**
Men’s Deodorant**
Sweat pants (S, M, L, XL and maybe a couple XXL)**
Leggings (S, M, L, XL)**
Women’s underwear (6, 7, 8)
Sports Bras (34, 36, 38)
Shampoo/Conditioner
Hair Brushes/combs
Toothpaste
T-Shirts- all sizes
Toothbrush holders
Pads/Tampons
Bags to transport- like canvas grocery bags**
*** are the most needed items
If you would like to donate these items, please email
Elizabeth Corbett at membership@westsideuuc.org
Food Bank Donations
We have a basket in our lobby for food donations. We drop those donations off at Farragut Christian Church’s food pantry.
If you'd like to donate, here are some of their most-needed items:
Hamburger Helper, tomato sauces, Vienna Sausage, canned Chef Boyardee products, raisin bran, corn flakes, oats. They do not need super large sizes of food packages.
Single regular boxes of any type of cereal (not large boxes or double boxes) are perfect.
Smaller jars of peanut butter, for example 16 oz or maybe a little larger
Jelly is popular: 16 oz or smaller size, or squeeze bottles if available,
16 and smaller sizes of mayonnaise,
Fruit is popular and appreciated.
no sardines.
And what ever regular sizes our congregation wants to donate!
To learn more about their Food Pantry, Visit their site.
Share The Plate
In 2007, the members of Westside expressed concern that the church was not doing enough for the local community. To answer that concern, the Board of Trustees developed a model, presented it to the congregation, and “Share the Plate” was established. Each quarter, the BOT chooses a local charity from congregant suggestions.
This Quarter's Share the Plate Partner
Knox Pride Center
We have chosen to help support The Knox Pride Center as our Share the Plate Partner for this quarter.
First known as the East Tennessee Equality Council (Inc.) founded in 2006, we have grown beyond an annual celebration. The Knox Pride Center has allowed us to expand our mission as educators, communicators, and representatives of our community through our community and outreach and events we facilitate.
Our Knox Pride Center is place for people to find a home base in the Knoxville LGBTQIA + community and beyond. We have resources, referrals, and services. Plus, we host events, and meetings, and allow other groups to come to use our space as a gathering center for their cause. Since opening our doors in October 2021, the space is here for people to learn more about our queer community, participate in a variety of gender-affirming care and life skill support, utilize our food pantry, or shop at our Thriftique.
But we still celebrate Pride every year, too! Knox Pride Fest is an open celebration of music, entertainment and speakers focused on promoting equality and inclusion for all. Throughout the weekend, vendors will have the opportunity to display information about their organization and/or business, sell or hand out items of interest and interact with our community to promote inclusion and equality for the LGBTQIA+ and allies of Knoxville and surrounding areas. We also host a variety of other events throughout the year, so make sure to keep up to date with our calendar on our website’s home page.