T.J. Community Mission Foundation Executive Director Randy Burns served as the keynote speaker at the April 24 Coffee and Commerce. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Community Relief Fund is moving across town and into a bigger space.
The relief fund, which became a facet of the T.J. Community Mission Foundation in July 2025, is relocating to 306 YMCA Way, and will likely be open in July, according to T.J. Community Mission Foundation Executive Director Randy Burns. He was the keynote speaker for Barren Inc’s April 24 Coffee and Commerce.
Community Relief Fund is currently located at 317 Columbia Ave. in Glasgow.
Moving into the new building, which was donated by Dr. Bharat Mody, will allow the expansion of its food pantry, according to Burns.
“We’re really, really excited about it,” Burns said. “It’s [not only] going to allow us to expand our food pantry [but] it’s also going to allow us to have 2,000 square feet of warehouse space.”
In addition, the larger space allows the foundation to partner with Christian Appalachian Project, a nonprofit founded in 1964, and its gift-in-kind program that will enable the foundation to provide more items to organizations and families in need. Burns told Glasgow News 1 that more information about the new partnership will be coming in the near future.
“Last year, throughout the 13-state Appalachian region, they distributed $200 million worth of goods that they received,” Burns said. “They’ll send us tractor-trailer loads at a time so we can become a resource to distribute to smaller organizations or to family resource offices or churches with outreach ministries.”
“We will receive those items for free from them and then we will give them out for free,” he added. “It’s going to be a great thing for this region.”
Initially, Burns said, the foundation is signing up to receive a tractor-trailer load per month. The gift-in-kind program will follow the same timeline as the move into the larger building, he said.
Burns also briefly recounted all the progress made by the philanthropic arm of T.J. Regional Health over the past three years, including the repayment of the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home construction project, the absorption of Children’s Day — which completed its first capital project in 2025 — and the launch of the Dreamcatcher Program — which sent its first recipient to Dollywood last year.
The Trinity Rehabilitation Center at Samsonville Square was also mentioned, with Burns saying the foundation was “well over halfway” to its fundraising goal of $750,000.
“It’s been an incredible three years,” he said. “It’s such an exciting time for Glasgow and Barren County, with all the growth that we’re experiencing and we’re so thrilled to be a part of this community and being a part in making this the very best community it can be.”
“It’s an exciting time,” Burns added.
Key Facts
• Community Relief Fund is relocating within Glasgow to 306 YMCA Way
• New building was donated by Dr. Bharat Mody
• Move is expected to be completed and open in July, according to the foundation
• Larger space will expand the food pantry and add about 2,000 square feet of warehouse space
• Community Relief Fund became part of the T.J. Community Mission Foundation in July 2025
• New partnership planned with Christian Appalachian Project’s gift-in-kind program
• Program will bring tractor-trailer loads of free goods to distribute at no cost
• Trinity Rehabilitation Center fundraising is reported to be well over halfway to its $750,000 goal
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