Statements
Mission
The East Nashville Cooperative Ministry is a Christian, ecumenical organization created and maintained for the purpose of improving the East Nashville community by addressing the spiritual, educational, economic, mental, physical, and emotional needs of its citizens, as individuals and as a community.
Background
HISTORY By 1965 the Cooperative Church Council of Edgefield was busy making a difference in East Nashville by providing food and clothing to the poor as well as hosting Vesper Services at the newly constructed Edgefield Manor under Rev. Carson Fraser of St. Ann's Episcopal Church's leadership. The Cooperative Church Council of Edgefield was comprised of Edgefield Baptist, Fatherland Free Will Baptist, First Baptist of East Nashville, First Church of the Nazarene, Holy Name Catholic Church, Payne's Chapel AME, Tulip Street Methodist Church, Woodcock Baptist, and Woodland Presbyterian Church. The East Nashville Cooperative Ministry had begun with two Methodist churches in the early 1970's and provided many services similar to those of the Cooperative Church Council of Edgefield. In a couple short years, ENCM was the collective effort of ten United Methodist churches. On January 15th, 1978 the CCC led by Rev. Fraser of St. Ann's merged with the ENCM led by Rev. D. Wayne Davis. This merging coupled United Methodists with an already ecumenical group made up of Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Episcopalian. They agreed upon the fitting name East Nashville Cooperative Ministry. Since its beginning, ENCM has had a history of ecumenical interfaith cooperation, believing that together, despite doctrinal dissimilarities, we are more productive in serving our neighbors than we are apart. For over forty years the churches of East Nashville have cooperated to provide food, clothing, medical, spiritual, and social services to a variety of persons varying in age, faith, and ethnicity. Drawing strength from the faith of its volunteers and supporters that believe God has called us to help our neighbors, ENCM continues to help churches invest in people not projects. ENCM's slogan "neighbors helping neighbors" is a reality in the rapidly changing dynamic community called East Nashville.
Impact
In 2016 the Ministry moved locations, renovated the building and reopened on March 1, 2016
Needs
1: Financial resources to help support community programs. 2: Financial resources to help remodel commercial kitchen and capital improvements.3. Grant writing assistance4. Once funds are obtained to renovate, ENCM will need a licensed contractor willing to pull permits and oversee volunteer work, help with inspections, recruit inexpensive or free plumbers, electricians, dry wall, cabinet installers and any other work which will need to be completed on the unfinished side of our building5. Accounting Assistance6. Volunteer Assistance to help with screening, receiving food and stocking shelves and fill boxes.7. Funds to repave the parking lot and stripe it when completed8. Funds or gift cards to purchase baby formula9. Flooring for restrooms and ramp in food pantry space10. Regular cleaning volunteers 11. Paint and painter to repaint the food pantry space
CEO Statement
On behalf of our family here at East Nashville Cooperative Ministry, we would like to extend our thankfulness to all those who have journeyed with us throughout the years of serving our community. As many of you may know, we had been serving East Nashville from our former site on Main Street, providing food to thousands every year. After much prayer, we sold our former location and purchased a new building a few miles up the road on Gallatin Pike. Our new location officially began serving the 37206, 37216, 37213 communities on March 1, 2016, now serving families throughout all of Davidson county. In just one year of operation, we have roughly served 3,500 individuals, responding to the issue of hunger in our area. We truly see the opportunity in front of us, as we become a part of our current neighborhood. God has sent us for this moment, for this community, to embrace the work He has called us to. As Jesus stated in John 14:23, He calls us to follow Him as we feed the hungry, His promise being that He will make a home with us. It is as if Jesus is saying WELCOME HOME! Welcome to a new place where He is at work. Welcome to a place where He dwells and desires to impact every life that walks through our doors. As we walk in His love, extending that same love to this community, we also want to say to Welcome Home! Your continued support and prayers are instrumental to every area of our ministry, we are unable to do what we do without you, Thank you! May God continue to bless you always!Peace and Blessings to all,Judy Wahlstrom, Acting Interim Director
Board Chair Statement
My church has been involved with ENCM since its inception in 1978. While still employed I was unable to participate on a daily basis, but since retiring have been active both on the Board and during hours of operation. I am currently serving as the Acting Interim Director on a volunteer basis. I have a deep love and commitment for the Coop and all of the people we are able to serve. We run our organization on a shoestring budget, but accomplish great feats with our small committed volunteer crew. We are constantly trying to improve our services and seek funding to expand our operations and to reach more people in Davidson County community. I have a passion and resolve to keep the Coop going in our rich history of Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Peace and Blessings, Judy Wahlstrom
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Food, Agriculture & Nutrition - Food Banks, Food Pantries |
| Secondary Category: | Human Services - Emergency Assistance (Food, Clothing, Cash) |
| Tertiary Category: | Unknown - |
Areas Served
ENCM serves mainly 37206, 37216 and 37213 with emergency food boxes. ENCM has the ability to serve all of Davidson County.
| TN - Davidson |
