KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Hancock County is one of eight counties across the state of Tennessee considered "distressed" by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Governor Bill Lee says the state needs to support these counties with projects like Wednesday's winter coat drive for kids.
"It's the people of Tennessee that come together and change a community. Me and Maria always said that government is not the answer to the biggest challenges. This isn't government coming together to change something, it's the people," said Lee.
The commission said Hancock County has a 29.1% poverty rate, a 6.3% three-year average unemployment and a per capita market income of around $18,000 per year. Only one county in the state was given the rank of "attainment" — Williamson County. The commission said its per capita market income was at $99,720 and it had a 3.9% poverty rate, with a three-year average unemployment rate of 3.2%.
Tennessee Serves is the First Lady's initiative and does one service project a month. As part of the initiative, it aimed to give away more than 3,000 winter jackets in October. Dozens of volunteers helped kids find the perfect jacket. The volunteers travel across the state, bringing the governor's and First Lady's vision into reality.
Tiffany Makhuli has been volunteering with Tennessee Serves for several months.
"Serving people can be as small as saying 'Hello' to someone, or giving someone a jacket, or a can of green beans, or food and providing a meal for people. It can be that small," said Makhuli.
Since 2019, The number of distressed counties in Tennessee have gone from 15 to eight counties. Lee credited outreach programs like Tennessee Serves as the main reason for the decrease.
"Month after month, community after community, inspiring Tennesseans to serve each other, and we're proud to be a part of it," said Lee.