SCHRA News

Lincoln County's Finest in Catering, 2023

It might sound unusual for a human resource agency to be the first place you think of when you need a caterer for your upcoming event. However, given the dedication and work ethic of South Central Human Resource Agency’s Nutrition Services staff, it should come as no surprise that they have become precisely that. SCHRA is honored to be chosen by Elk Valley Times readers as Lincoln County’s Finest in the Catering category for 2023.

SCHRA’s Nutrition Services Program provides meals year-round for senior nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels and congregate meals at area senior centers. These meal programs are often minimally funded, and the need for them is constantly growing. Over the years the agency found itself looking for ways to supplement state grants in order to fill the gaps in funding to maintain kitchen equipment and provide meals for as many clients as possible.

This need for additional funds is where the idea for the Catering Program was born. Catering dollars pay for the cost of food, utility maintenance, and the labor cost of each job. The remaining money goes directly to the Nutrition Services Program. “About 17 years ago, I was asked to come in and help start up a catering program here, and I’ve been here ever since,” said Nutrition Services Director Becky Christa. She has since progressed from heading up catering to directing all meal services provided by SCHRA. “I may not be the Catering Coordinator anymore, but it’s still my baby,” Christa added.

With a background in meal service and catering, Christa has passed on her knowledge of the industry to staff throughout her years at SCHRA, including current Catering Coordinator Ashley Roland. Roland has been with SCHRA for going on 10 years now and has spent much of her time with the agency in the kitchen and working catering events, as well as managing data for Nutrition Services. Ella Brown started working with the catering program in 2019, and she became an invaluable asset as well. “A lot of the times it was just Ashley and Ella at events,” Christa remarked. More recently, the program welcomed Patty Moore and Mary Burton to their regular staff. Longtime Nutrition Services staff members Becky Patterson and Dianne Edwards often assist in preparing meals for events, in addition to their normal daily food preparation for senior meals.

“It’s usually just two of us that work events, but we pull in other people as needed, depending on how big of an event we are catering,” said Roland. Sometimes others working with Nutrition Services come in to help, such as the program’s office manager, Lea Richardson, and other times staff from other SCHRA programs volunteer to lend a hand transporting and serving food and drinks. Even the agency’s Deputy Director, Sara Brown, is known to have worked on quite a few events over the years.

SCHRA offers a wide range of options in terms of catering services. Since the program began, SCHRA has catered events in settings ranging from Huntsville, Alabama, to Nashville and Spring Hill, Tennessee. Events are often catered at the client’s venue, but the conference room at SCHRA’s central office location is available for clients looking for a location to rent. For smaller events or occasions, meals may be prepared and picked up at the central office or staff may come to a local venue and set up food and drinks for events that don’t require servers on hand.

When asked about the variety of items available to be served, Christa said, “We used to have more of a set menu, but these days we can fix pretty much whatever someone wants—as long as we have time to plan it!” Staff are prepared to serve everything from finger foods and light refreshments to a full-scale formal dinner with dessert for functions ranging from a small family gathering to a wedding with 400 or more guests. Holidays and the summer wedding season are often their busiest times of the year, so clients have the best luck securing their booking by contacting program staff as early as possible.

Clients interested in SCHRA catering services may call Ashley Roland at 931-433-7182 ext. 1145 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Menu consultation and pricing are available upon request. You may also contact Patty Moore at 931-433-7182 ext. 1149 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pictured (L-R): Ashley Roland, Mary Burton, Patty Moore, and Becky Christa

2023 04 12 Lincoln Countys Finest Catering

Energy Assistance

OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS OCTOBER 1, 2023!

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is designed to provide financial assistance to elderly, handicapped, and low-income persons to help offset a portion of the cost of energy used to heat their homes. Priority assistance is given to those with the lowest income.

The following services are available under this program:

  • Heating Assistance is provided to eligible households through payment to a utility company or through the purchase of coal or wood.
  • Crisis Heating Assistance is provided to households having an official shut off notice or who are out of fuel and meet the other criteria listed for assistance.

In addition to general eligibility requirements applicants must be responsible for their own energy costs and meet certain criteria for emergency assistance as set forth by the State of Tennessee.

Applying for Energy Assistance

We are happy to announce that clients can now apply for our Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program on-line! Please note that the online application is only intended for non-emergency applications at thiss time.

Apply for the current program year at this link: https://thosolutions.com/tnonlineapplication

If your application meets eligibility criteria, you may receive assistance if funds are available.

To apply, contact the NSC Office in your county of residence and provide the following documentation:

  • Name
  • Phone Number
  • Photo ID
  • Social Security Cards for all Household Members (required by Federal Law)
  • Proof of current Household Income for all members 18yrs or older (Previous 4 Weeks)
  • Current Utility Bill(s) (Electric, Gas, Propane) - Please bring report of last 12 Month Usage

Contact Information

Rebecca Bradford
Utility Services Coordinator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
931.433.7182 Ext 1124

Federal Poverty Income Guidelines
Printable Application
Neighborhood Service Center Locations


Apply Online

Required Documentation

  • Proof of Income for all 18+ Household Members
  • Photo ID for Head of Household
  • Social Security Card for all Household Members
  • Current Utility Bill
  • 12 Month History from Utility Company

Apply

South Lawrence Head Start Scores Special Guest Readers

The children at South Lawrence Head Start have been lucky to have some very special guest readers recently.  In October, State Representative Clay Doggett, Lawrence County Executive T.R. Williams and County Commissioner Bert Spearman all took their turns reading to the kids during the building dedication.  In January, their guest reader list took a community athletic turn.

David and Ryan Weathers surprised the kids to read to them and take some photos with the class.  The Weathers family is well-known for their community support in Lawrence County.  David and Ryan had their hands full reading a couple of the kids favorite books and the kids were more than happy to help them out while they read.

The Weathers family, while originally from Lawrence County, traveled the country while David played Major League Baseball.  From 1991-2009, he played for a number of teams coast to coast from the Florida Marlins to the Toronto Blue Jays and in 1996 pitched for the World Series Champion Yankees.  The apple did not fall far from the tree with Ryan.  He was drafted in 2018, during the first round, by the San Diego Padres.  Once the family returned to Lawrence County they started to give back in many different ways including partnering with the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club in building an outdoor basketball facility at Rotary Park.  Today the Weathers family continues to make a positive impact in the communities in Lawrence County. 

The children at South Lawrence Head Start were fortunate to catch David and Ryan before they headed west to Arizona for the Padres spring training session.  The staff at the center were able to present them with Certificates of Appreciation for their support of the site and continued support of the community.

 

     

  Ryan Weathers reads to South Lawrence Head Start students about different animals.                   

David Weathers continues story time with a book about the alphabet.

 

 

   All smiles after a special reading time with David and Ryan Weathers.   

                   

 The South Lawrence Head Start staff showed their appreciation for the visit with certificates for David and Ryan.

SCHRA
1437 Winchester Hwy
P.O. Box 638
Fayetteville, TN 37334
931.433.7182

South Central Human Resource Agency’s mission is to provide low income individuals and communities access to educational, economic, nutritional, and social services that promote and encourage self-reliance through our partnerships with local, state and federal resources.