KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee said it started a firewood bank near Knoxville.
"Like food banks – but for heating not eating," it said.
UT said the firewood bank will be used to provide firewood to those in need, free of charge. The UT Firewood Bank will be a cooperative effort of the UT Extension, UT Forest Resources, volunteers from the community and students in the UT Forestry Club.
The firewood bank will work with the food bank system to help identify people in need, and even deliver the wood to them for free.
"An additional goal is to document the experience of starting a firewood bank and using this information to promote, through the Extension system, the creation of more firewood banks in the area," the university said.
The start-up is being supported by the Alliance for Green Heat, which is also partnering with the USDA Forest Service to promote firewood banks throughout the country. The university said the plan is to start cutting, splitting and stacking the first firewood this spring so that the firewood bank will be ready for distribution in the fall when the weather begins to cool.
If you are interested in joining the firewood bank volunteer group, the university asked that review and sign two documents on its website. People can also reach out to Adam Taylor for more information about the program by calling 865-946-1125.