Our Story

The Dickson County Help Center has been a beacon of hope and assistance for the community, dedicated to supporting those in need. It has undergone several changes over the years to better serve its residents in response to changing times and needs.

Established in the late 1960s at the old Buttery Building in Burns, the Dickson County Help Center moved to West 5th Street in 1972. However, poor building conditions forced its closure in 1976. Charged with the mission to continue providing aid for families in need within the county, community leaders reactivated the Dickson County Help Center with new officers led by Helen Rial in December 1978. Mrs. Rial began operating the Center from her home while housing the food bank at the War Memorial Building Downtown.

In April 1998, the Help Center purchased a storefront on North Main Street to house the newly opened Thrift Store. Since then, the Thrift Store has generated funds to support the Center's mission of helping the community while providing affordable shopping to the public. With the Thrift Store's success and the growing need for space, the board of directors voted to relocate to a newly built facility on Myatt Street in August 1999.

In December 2011, the board of directors voted to purchase the General Insurance Building in downtown Dickson. On February 15, 2012, the Help Center moved to its current location on College Street. This move doubled the Thrift Store's space and transformed the food pantry into a "Client Choice" food bank, empowering clients to select their preferred food for their families.

The COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020 necessitated significant changes in the Center's operations to serve the community better. The Center assisted families during shutdowns, increased Emergency Mobile Food Pantries, and partnered with various organizations, including state, county, and city governments, faith communities, civic groups, businesses, and individuals, to keep its programs running.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the Center implemented a "Contactless" Assistance Program, requiring applicants to complete an application over the phone and schedule an appointment to receive food while remaining in their vehicles in the alley. In 2020 alone, we assisted 1,918 households through our Contactless Call-In program, totaling over 4,480 individuals, with food, clothing, financial assistance, and many other services.

The Dickson County Help Center has a long history of adapting to meet the needs of its community while respecting the dignity and preferences of every individual served. The Help Center's story is a testament to the collective spirit of Dickson County, displaying the community's understanding that support for each other is what makes it strong. As the Help Center looks to the future, its past ensures it will continue to be a source of compassion and hope.