Family Promise of Knoxville Hosts 19th Annual Pasta & Bluegrass Festival

Ending Family Homelessness One Note (or Noodle) at a Time

Knoxville, Tenn — August 13, 2025 — Family Promise of Knoxville invites the community to join in the celebration of food, fellowship, and live music at the 19th Annual Pasta & Bluegrass Festival, taking place on Saturday, August 23rd from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Sacred Heart Cathedral (711 S Northshore Dr., Knoxville, TN).

This annual event brings together local churches, musicians, and community members to raise funds and awareness for families experiencing homelessness in Knox County and the surrounding area. Guests will enjoy pasta tastings from a variety of congregations—including Ball Camp Baptist Church, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, and Church of the Good Shepherd—who compete for the coveted title of Best Pasta. Attendees can enjoy each dish and cast their votes while enjoying live bluegrass music and family-friendly festivities.

“This event is such a joyful and delicious way for congregations, community groups, and families to come together for a good cause,” said Kathryn Ellis, Executive Director of Family Promise of Knoxville. “It’s a great opportunity to show off your best pasta recipe—and show up for families who are working hard to rebuild their lives. Every vote and every dollar raised makes a real difference.”

Ticket Prices:

• Adults: $15

• Children (5–12): $10

• Family Pack (2 adults + 3 children): $50

• Children 4 & under: Free

This year’s festival will also feature several local favorites as guest judges, including media personalities Don Dare, Heather Haley, Whitney Kent, and John Wilkerson as well as Executive Director at Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability, Erin Read.

Proceeds from the Pasta & Bluegrass Festival support Family Promise of Knoxville’s mission to equip, encourage, and empower families as they pursue stability, independence, and the dream of homeownership. Since 2005, Family Promise has worked alongside hundreds of families, offering shelter, case management, and compassionate community support through a network of volunteers, churches, and partner organizations.

“At Family Promise, we believe every family’s future begins with a home,” Ellis added. “Events like this help make that future possible.”

Get Your Tickets Today:

Tickets are available now at https://givebutter.com/FPKPastaBluegrass

Join us for an evening of music, community, and of course—pasta with purpose.

Diaper/Period Product Giveaway with Helping Mamas Knoxville

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Family Promise Knoxville is excited to partner with Helping Mamas Knoxville once again for our Diaper & Period Product Giveaway on Thursday, December 12th, 2024!

This event is free and open to the community, offering essential items such as diapers and period products to families in need. No one should have to choose between basic necessities, and this giveaway is designed to help alleviate some of that burden.

Whether you're a new parent or in need of personal care products, we’re here to support you. Join us at 3545 Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville and let us lend a helping hand.

3rd Annual Driving Out Family Homelessness Golf Tournament

We are still basking in the joy and excitement resulting from our most successful golf tournament yet! With brief remarks from our Executive Director about what the team sponsorships and other donations will make possible in the lives our FPK's guest families, our 18 teams (a sold-out contest) set out to conquer Williams Creek Golf Course at 8:30 AM to tee off in a Powerball Scramble.

At the completion of registration each golfer was supplied with a mimosa (as requested), directions to the putting green/driving range, and their team's golf carts. Throughout the warm May morning, golfers were encouraged to stop by our Hydration & Libation Station equipped with coffee, Hi-Wire Brewing craft beer (https://hiwirebrewing.com/knoxville/), and water as desired. In supplying our contestants with a fun morning, Family Promise of Knoxville is thankful to the many individuals and businesses that made our Hydration & Libation Station possible.

As the competition heated up, so too did our fundraising: combining our online ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations received day-of, Family Promise of Knoxville raised just over $25,000 that will go directly to serving the most marginalized families in Knox County. We are ecstatic that our community partners support our families through their most traumatic and difficult season. Our single greatest goal - in sheltering families - is to keep families sheltered together. While working through the trauma of homelessness, the last thing a family needs is to be separated in different rooms or - even worse - separate facilities. It's a small, but dignifying step that sets Family Promise of Knoxville apart from other housing & homelessness care providers.

When it was all said and done, our teams reconvened and shared an outdoor lunch while final scores were tallied. The putting contest was sealed by the final contestant, who won a brand new putter, a gift card to Lakeside Tavern, and a 1 hour training session with a local golf pro. The two contestants that decidedly won the Closest to the Pin Contests on Hole 5 and Hole 9 were awarded with gift cards to Lakeside Tavern and Buddy's Barbecue (respectively) among other swag.

A hearty congratulations to Team Walker for their winning performance, with a -13 under round to take the Grand Prize (a weekend Sevierville getaway). The champions also received 1st Place trophies and a bottle of Tennessee bourbon.

Our 2nd Place team: Team Martin received second place trophies, additional Family Promise Knoxville tumblers - outfitted with $25 gift cards to Hi-Wire Brewing in South Knox, and key chains.

LHP Capital - a Contest Sponsor - took 3rd place and secured additional tumblers, gift cards to Balter Beerworks, and keychains.

We are already looking forward to next year's Driving Out Family Homelessness Golf Tournament. Our Events Committee meets on June 3rd to process what elements of the day need attention and what aspects went well. We are grateful for any feedback received. Also - did you know that you can join our Events Committee and help us plan fun experiences like this one - without becoming a board member. We'd greatly appreciate your time and support by serving on this committee.

Finally, a big, hefty thank you: to our Contest Sponsors LHP Capital, HomeChoice Windows & Doors, Christopoulis & Kennedy, and McCarty Holsaple McCarty; our hole sponsors, and our teams that made the day immensely fun.

See you next year,

Rev. John-Mark Brown