🧭 Confirm approval first🤝 Volunteer routes📄 Documentation may vary
Tennessee Community Service & Volunteer Resource Directory
This directory organizes Tennessee community service and volunteer routes that may support people navigating probation,
parole, diversion, reentry, court-related community service, pretrial release, federal supervision, school requirements,
attorney referrals, agency referrals, and community-based service goals.
Important: OACRA does not determine whether any organization, volunteer role, service site, work crew,
hour log, supervisor signature, food bank shift, pantry shift, shelter-support role, thrift-store shift, animal-care role,
parks route, public-works route, Habitat/ReStore shift, online task, or community-service placement satisfies a court order,
probation condition, parole condition, diversion agreement, pretrial release condition, federal supervision instruction,
school requirement, attorney recommendation, agency referral, or program requirement. Always confirm approval, restrictions,
schedule, supervision, documentation, fees, screening, role limits, travel, transportation, reporting rules, and completion
requirements directly with the court, supervising officer, attorney, program coordinator, referring agency, and volunteer
organization before starting hours.
Provider visibilityTennessee volunteer sites
Does your organization accept community service volunteers?
Food banks, pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, thrift stores, Habitat/ReStore programs, animal shelters, city programs,
parks departments, public libraries, senior centers, faith-based community programs, county agencies, cleanup groups,
and volunteer hubs may request listing updates or enhanced visibility on OACRA.
📍 Regional and county visibility
📄 Clear hour-documentation expectations
🧭 Built for courts, supervision, reentry, diversion, school, and referral partners
Support Tennessee community service directory coverage
Sponsors, nonprofits, community partners, agencies, and regional programs can help strengthen coverage across Memphis,
Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Tri-Cities, Jackson, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, rural counties, and smaller towns.
📌 Statewide and regional coverage
🤝 Food security, shelter, public-service, Habitat/ReStore, animal care, and nonprofit routes
No matching results found. Try a broader search term, remove the service filter, or use statewide routes and local volunteer coordinators to confirm active community service options.
Statewide & Court-Route Connectors
Coverage: statewide and multi-region connectors. Use these as starting points, then confirm the specific court, probation, parole, diversion, federal supervision, school, attorney, or agency documentation rule before starting hours.
Confirm-first Statewide routes
Tennessee Department of Correction / supervision route check
State-level correction and supervision context. People on probation, parole, community corrections, diversion, or reentry should confirm whether a local officer, court, or program must assign the service site.
Ask AboutOfficer approval • assigned site • travel limits • signed log • reporting deadline
AreaStatewide
U.S. Probation — Middle District of Tennessee community-service route
Federal supervision route identifying community-service options in Middle Tennessee, including Second Harvest and The Little Pantry That Could. Federal cases should follow the officer’s instructions before using any site.
Ask AboutFederal officer approval • approved site • shift window • verification letter • case-specific rules
AreaMiddle Tennessee / federal supervision
Tennessee 2-1-1
Statewide resource connector for local nonprofits, food, shelter, human services, and support programs. Use it as a referral starting point, then confirm the exact organization can supervise and document hours.
Ask AboutNamed organization • active volunteer contact • documentation ability • restrictions • direct site confirmation
AreaStatewide
Confirm-first Referral and statewide nonprofit routes
Hands On Nashville — court-ordered service route
Middle Tennessee volunteer connector with a court-ordered service pathway. Partners may accept court-ordered volunteers, but walk-ins are not accepted and the partner organization controls verification unless Hands On leads the project.
Ask AboutAffiliate approval • ReStore vs build site • safety/PPE • age limits • supervisor sign-off
AreaStatewide / multiple Tennessee affiliates
Remote or online service check
Remote service, online certificates, at-home projects, donation drives, virtual volunteering, or self-directed tasks should not be used unless the court, officer, program coordinator, attorney, school, or referring agency confirms acceptance in advance.
Remote checkRural accessConfirm first
AccessUse only after direct written approval from the appropriate authority.
Ask AboutWritten permission • nonprofit status • identity verification • online proof • certificate format • deadline
AreaStatewide / rural access
West Tennessee & Memphis Area
Coverage: Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, Lauderdale, Haywood, Madison, Dyer, Lake, Obion, Weakley, Henry, and nearby counties, including Memphis, Jackson, Dyersburg, Union City, and smaller communities.
Confirm-first Memphis and county routes
Shelby County Community Services Unit
County route that schedules and monitors community-service activities for clients on probation, people going to court for misdemeanor charges, and community members completing service.
Ask AboutEligibility • scheduling • assigned site • monitoring • proof of hours
AreaShelby County / Memphis
Volunteer Memphis
Volunteer connector for Memphis and Shelby County with access to hundreds of nonprofits and schools. Use it to identify opportunities, then confirm court-related documentation directly with the host organization.
Mid-South Food Bank route check
Regional food bank route for sorting, packing, distribution, and food-security support across the Mid-South. Confirm court-related hours, restrictions, scheduling, and verification before starting.
Ask AboutShift signup • offense/age restrictions • supervisor signature • letter or log • deadline
AreaMemphis / West Tennessee
Confirm-first Food, shelter, public-service, and local routes
Memphis Union Mission route check
Faith-based shelter and meal-service route. Confirm non-worship task clarity, intake process, role restrictions, and whether staff can sign court or supervision paperwork.
City of Memphis / public-service route check
Public works, neighborhood cleanup, parks, and beautification routes may be available through official city, county, or court-linked processes. Confirm assignment before starting.
Jackson / Madison County local-route check
Food pantry, city public-service, parks, thrift, animal shelter, and community nonprofit routes may be available in Jackson and nearby counties. Confirm the actual host and documentation first.
Public serviceLocal routeConfirm first
AccessContact the specific court, officer, city, county, pantry, thrift store, animal shelter, or nonprofit before starting.
Ask AboutAssigned site • supervisor signature • task type • travel • reporting deadline
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee — court-ordered service
Direct court-ordered community-service route. Volunteers must pre-register and schedule online; approval and shift type matter because only eligible court-ordered shifts count.
Ask AboutOnline pre-registration • approval within stated process • eligible shift title • verification letter • no walk-ins
AreaNashville / Middle Tennessee
The Little Pantry That Could
North Nashville pantry route identified by the U.S. Probation Middle District community-service page as accepting all levels of court-ordered volunteers.
Hands On Nashville — court-ordered project signup
Volunteer hub with court-ordered service instructions. Partners do not accept walk-ins; participants should create an account, select court-ordered-eligible projects, and confirm verification with the project leader.
Ask AboutAccount • eligible project • no walk-ins • project leader confirmation • verification form
AreaNashville / Middle Tennessee
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee route check
Donation, retail, and headquarters-based service route. Goodwill has historically welcomed court-ordered community service at its Nashville headquarters; confirm current process before relying on it.
Confirm-first Shelter, nonprofit, and county routes
Nashville General Sessions community-service work route
Court/community beautification route may be scheduled through specific docket events. Registration, site, time, and safety instructions can be case-specific.
AreaRutherford / Williamson / Sumner / Wilson / Maury
East Tennessee & Knoxville Area
Coverage: Knox, Anderson, Blount, Sevier, Roane, Loudon, Grainger, Jefferson, Union, Cocke, and nearby East Tennessee communities.
Confirm-first Court and volunteer-center routes
Knox County Criminal Court Community Service Program
County court route for qualifying defendants to address court costs through community service. The program includes a participant inquiry route and a partner inquiry route for organizations.
Ask AboutEligibility • 8-hour monthly minimum • assigned partner • program director contact • proof rules
AreaKnox County / Knoxville
Volunteer East Tennessee
Regional volunteer center serving Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Sevier, and Union counties. Use it to identify nonprofit opportunities, then confirm court-hour documentation with the host.
Ask AboutHost organization • court-hour acceptance • no assumption of approval • verification method
AreaKnoxville / East Tennessee
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee route check
Food bank route with warehouse, food-packing, pantry, administrative, and event tasks. Confirm schedule, age/chaperone rules, closed-toe shoe requirements, and documentation before starting.
City of Knoxville volunteer/public-service route check
City volunteer route and public-service connector. Knoxville directs residents to Volunteer East Tennessee and local opportunities; court-related hours still need approval from the authority requiring service.
Ask AboutOfficial city role • public supervisor • tools/PPE • sign-in/out • court approval
AreaKnoxville / Knox County
Sevier / Blount / Anderson local-route check
Food pantry, animal shelter, library, parks, rescue mission, Habitat/ReStore, and community cleanup routes may be available around Maryville, Sevierville, Oak Ridge, Clinton, and nearby communities.
Public serviceLocal routeConfirm first
AccessContact the specific nonprofit, city, county, library, parks department, pantry, Habitat affiliate, or animal shelter before starting.
Confirm-first Court-aware food and public-service routes
Chattanooga Area Food Bank — court-ordered volunteer route
Direct court-ordered volunteer route. The food bank states that court-ordered volunteers are welcome and provides scheduling guidance for roles that fit needs and availability.
Ask AboutCourt-ordered volunteer process • schedule • role fit • restrictions • verification
AreaChattanooga / Southeast Tennessee
Chattanooga Community Kitchen / CHATT Foundation court-ordered route
Direct court-ordered community-service pathway. The organization states that only hours scheduled through its sign-up page are credited toward community-service requirements.
Ask AboutUse sign-up page • scheduled hours only • role rules • verification • deadline
AreaChattanooga / Hamilton County
City of Chattanooga / Hamilton County work-crew route check
Public works, parks, litter cleanup, and beautification routes may be available only through official assignment. Confirm court or probation paperwork before starting.
United Way / community volunteer routes in Chattanooga
Volunteer hub and nonprofit connector routes may lead to food, shelter, youth, senior, cleanup, and event opportunities. Confirm host documentation and court-hour acceptance directly.
Ask AboutNamed host site • volunteer coordinator • signed proof • restrictions • schedule
AreaHamilton / Southeast Tennessee
Cleveland / Bradley County local-route check
Food pantries, thrift stores, animal shelters, libraries, parks, Habitat/ReStore, and public-service routes may be available locally. Confirm exact host and documentation before starting.
Public serviceLocal routeConfirm first
AccessContact the specific city, county, nonprofit, pantry, thrift store, Habitat affiliate, library, park, or animal shelter before starting.
AreaCleveland / Bradley County / Southeast Tennessee
Rhea / Marion / Sequatchie / Meigs rural route check
Rural counties may rely on probation-directed public works, convenience centers, libraries, senior centers, food pantries, rescue squads, and local events. Confirm safety and supervision first.
Rural routePublic / food routeConfirm first
AccessContact the court, officer, city/county office, library, pantry, fire/rescue, or local nonprofit before starting.
Ask AboutAssigned site • public supervisor • travel/weather • nonhazardous role • signed proof
AreaRhea / Marion / Sequatchie / Meigs
Northeast Tennessee / Tri-Cities
Coverage: Washington, Sullivan, Carter, Greene, Hawkins, Hamblen, Johnson, Unicoi, and nearby Tri-Cities and Appalachian counties.
Confirm-first Direct court-service and food routes
Goodwill Industries of Tenneva — Community Service Program
Direct court-ordered community-service program using a retail learning environment where participants complete hours while building workforce-related skills.
Holston Habitat for Humanity — court-ordered service route
Direct court-ordered service route through Habitat/ReStore. Applicants are notified of decisions after review, and the page lists a direct contact for questions.
Habitat / ReStoreBuild / donation routeConfirm first
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
Food bank route with warehouse and distribution support. Confirm court-hour tracking, closed-toe shoe rule, minimum age, profile setup, and verification before starting.
Ask AboutVolunteer profile • closed-toe shoes • minimum age • shift schedule • signed proof
AreaTri-Cities / Northeast Tennessee
Confirm-first Public-service and rural local routes
Johnson City / Washington County public-service route check
Public works, parks, landfill, library, community cleanup, and city/county routes may be available through court or probation assignment. Confirm paperwork before starting.
Public serviceLocal routeConfirm first
AccessContact the court, probation office, city/county department, library, or parks coordinator before starting.
Greeneville / Greene County local-route check
Food pantry, animal shelter, thrift, library, senior center, Habitat/ReStore, and civic-service routes may be available locally. Confirm host and documentation first.
Public serviceLocal routeConfirm first
AccessContact the specific nonprofit, city, county, library, pantry, thrift store, Habitat affiliate, or animal shelter before starting.
Hamblen / Hawkins / Carter rural-route check
Rural and smaller-city routes may include food pantry, public library, parks, senior center, animal shelter, rescue support, and community-event tasks. Confirm nonhazardous roles and signed proof.
Rural routePublic / food / animalConfirm first
AccessContact the court, officer, city/county office, library, pantry, rescue squad, or nonprofit before starting.
Ask AboutNonhazardous task • public supervisor • travel/weather • signed log • deadline
AreaMorristown / Rogersville / Elizabethton area
Rural Counties & Small Towns
Coverage: Upper Cumberland, Highland Rim, Delta counties, Appalachian counties, and smaller municipalities that may rely more heavily on county-directed lists and local nonprofit contacts.
Confirm-first County-directed and rural routes
County probation / General Sessions route check
Many rural courts and probation offices maintain their own current community-service lists for highway departments, solid waste sites, county fairs, rescue squads, animal shelters, food pantries, and public facilities.
Court routeDocumentation routeConfirm first
AccessAsk the supervising officer, court clerk, or community-corrections office for the current local list before starting.
Ask AboutCurrent approved list • assigned site • travel limits • supervisor signature • completion deadline
AreaRural Tennessee / county-based
Upper Cumberland local-route check
Food pantry, Habitat/ReStore, public library, parks, animal shelter, senior center, and community-event routes may be available around Cookeville, Crossville, Livingston, Sparta, Smithville, and surrounding counties.
Rural routeLocal providersConfirm first
AccessContact the specific city, county, nonprofit, library, park, pantry, Habitat affiliate, or animal shelter before starting.
Northwest Tennessee / Delta route check
Food pantry, thrift, public works, library, senior center, animal shelter, county fair, cleanup, and community-event routes may be available in Dyersburg, Union City, Martin, Paris, and surrounding counties.
Rural routePublic / food routeConfirm first
AccessContact the court, officer, city/county office, library, pantry, thrift store, or nonprofit before starting.
Confirm-first Local civic, animal, and event routes
Public libraries, senior centers, and civic clubs
Smaller towns often use volunteers for event setup, shelving, cleaning, donation sorting, food distribution, seasonal drives, and community programs. Confirm whether court-related hours are accepted.
Public serviceLocal routeConfirm first
AccessContact the specific library, senior center, civic club, community center, or town office before starting.
Animal shelters and humane societies
Local animal shelters may use volunteers for cleaning, laundry, feeding support, adoption events, and facility tasks. Confirm screening, age limits, offense restrictions, and documentation first.
Animal careShelter supportConfirm first
AccessContact the specific county animal shelter or humane society before starting.
Volunteer fire/rescue and community events — nonhazard route only
Some departments or civic groups may accept nonhazard roles such as fundraising, food service, cleanup, parking support, or event setup. Do not perform hazardous duties to complete hours.
Event routeNonhazard onlyConfirm first
AccessContact the department or event organizer and confirm with the supervising authority before starting.
Use this guide before starting any Tennessee community service hours. Requirements may differ by county, judge, court,
probation officer, parole officer, diversion program, community corrections program, municipal court, federal supervision,
school, attorney referral, agency referral, public agency, or provider.
Confirm the site before starting
Do not assume a food bank, pantry, shelter, thrift store, Habitat/ReStore, animal shelter, public library, city program, county work crew, public-works route, volunteer hub, faith-based site, or online route will count. Confirm the exact site and task before the first hour.
Follow court or supervision instructions
Tennessee cases may involve General Sessions, Criminal Court, probation, parole, community corrections, diversion, municipal court, federal supervision, school requirements, or agency referrals. Follow the exact paperwork for the person’s case.
Get documentation rules in writing
Ask whether the proof must include dates, hours, worksite name, supervisor name, supervisor signature, phone number, task performed, official timesheet, court packet, agency log, volunteer letter, or direct submission to the court or officer.
Screening-sensitive roles
Animal care, shelters, youth programs, senior programs, schools, transportation, money handling, confidential roles, hospitals, rescue/fire support, and unsupervised tasks may have background checks, offense-specific limits, safety rules, or role restrictions.
Faith-based task clarity
Food pantry, clothing closet, meal service, cleanup, donation sorting, or shelter-support tasks may be treated differently from worship, religious instruction, evangelism, ushering, choir, or membership activities. Confirm what counts before starting.
Remote or online service needs extra approval
Remote service, online certificates, at-home projects, virtual volunteering, donation drives, letter-writing, or self-directed work should be used only when the court, officer, attorney, program coordinator, school, or referring agency confirms acceptance in advance.
Work crews and public works
County work crews, litter pickup, solid-waste sites, public works, and road projects may require assignment, PPE, transportation rules, weather planning, and official supervision. Do not self-report to a crew without authorization.
Food banks and warehouses
Food banks may require pre-registration, closed-toe shoes, lifting limits, age limits, waivers, approval review, or restrictions on court-related hours. Confirm the site can sign the form or provide an official completion letter.
Rural Tennessee nuance
Rural counties may have fewer formal volunteer hubs, limited public transportation, smaller nonprofit staffs, limited office hours, and more county-directed lists. Confirm travel, schedule, weather closures, and supervisor availability.
Deadlines and verification matter
Hours may not count if they are late, undocumented, completed at the wrong site, double-counted, paid, done without supervision, performed for family, or submitted without the required signature, timesheet, letter, or reporting method.
Hazard and safety limits
Do not operate heavy machinery, handle hazardous chemicals, enter unsafe sites, drive without permission, or perform fire/rescue duties just to complete hours. Ask for a safer alternative if a task conflicts with conditions or ability.
Providers can request updates
Organizations that accept supervised, court-related, school-related, or referral-based volunteers can request a listing update so end users and referring partners know how to contact the correct volunteer coordinator.
OACRA disclaimer: This Tennessee Community Service Directory is provided for resource-navigation and referral-support purposes only.
OACRA is independent and does not provide legal, supervision, case-management, volunteer-placement, employment, tax, nonprofit-compliance,
clinical, medical, emergency, transportation, court, county, city, municipal, school, library, parks, public-agency, federal supervision,
probation, parole, diversion, community corrections, or state-agency advice. OACRA does not verify in real time that a provider is accepting
volunteers, accepting court-related community service, able to supervise a specific person, able to sign a specific form, or acceptable for a
specific court, probation office, parole office, diversion program, community corrections program, school requirement, attorney referral,
agency referral, federal supervision instruction, or community-service obligation. Users must confirm approval, eligibility, restrictions,
background screening, task limits, schedule, fees, transportation, travel, intake, supervision, documentation, reporting, remote-service rules,
safety rules, and completion requirements directly with the appropriate court, supervising officer, attorney, program coordinator, referring
agency, public agency, school, county office, city office, federal supervision office, and provider before beginning service hours. For emergencies,
immediate danger, or urgent safety concerns, call 911.
