Pictured from Left to right: Shelby Mathews, Bowater CU Marketing Coordinator; Dianne Poteet, Bowater Member; Gail Wilcoxon, Founder of People Helping People; Blythe Ledford, King St Branch Manager; Nicole Andrino, Bowater CU Marketing Specialist
Bowater Credit Union member Dianne Poteet has won the $1,000 Pay It Forward prize for her favorite local nonprofit, People Helping People.
Bowater Credit Union invites its members to nominate their favorite nonprofit organizations that serve the counties eligible for credit union membership: Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk. Up to five $1,000 prizes are awarded each year, and People Helping People is the second recipient for 2026.
Established in 2010, People Helping People (PHP) was founded with a mission to serve individuals and families in need. Based in Polk County, the organization extends its outreach beyond county lines, supporting neighboring communities as well.
Operated entirely by dedicated volunteers and funded through donations, PHP provides a wide range of free services, including clothing, food, medical equipment, diapers, daycare assistance, and meal delivery. Their outreach also includes providing Christmas gifts for children and veterans, offering showers for the homeless, and supplying school necessities for students.
One of the organization’s most impactful efforts is its crisis response support. In times of disaster—such as fires, floods, or tornadoes—PHP steps in to assist affected families with essential items like clothing, hygiene products, household goods, and furniture, helping them begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
PHP operates independently, without government funding, and relies solely on community support and fundraising efforts. Recently, the organization opened an affordable thrift store to help sustain its mission. Thanks to the commitment of its volunteers, PHP continues to serve an average of 1,200 individuals each month.
Two years ago, PHP faced a significant challenge when it was forced to relocate from a 20,000-square-foot facility to a much smaller 1,700-square-foot space. This transition temporarily suspended several vital services, including showers for the homeless, its daycare program, and its community kitchen.
Today, PHP is taking steps toward the future by working to construct a new facility that will allow them to expand services and reinstate those that were paused. With support from Bowater Credit Union’s Pay It Forward Grant, People Helping People will be able to continue funding its essential programs while investing in the organization’s long-term growth and impact.
To learn more about People Helping People or find ways to get involved, visit their website at peoplehelpingpeopletn.org and follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.
The Pay It Forward program will continue through 2026, with up to three additional prizes to be awarded. Any member of Bowater Credit Union may nominate their favorite nonprofit for a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize. The deadline for consideration for the next award is August 31, 2026.
Bowater Credit Union began the Pay It Forward program in 2010 to give back to the community it serves. Since the program’s inception, Bowater CU has donated $61,000 to various charities, making a lasting positive impact in the community. For more information, visit BowaterECU.org.
Bowater Employees Credit Union is a federally insured credit union offering savings, checking, loans, and financial education to individuals who live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk counties. The credit union operates five branches, serves more than 20,000 members, and manages $300 million in assets. To learn more about Bowater Employees Credit Union and its services, call 423-336-7268 or visit BowaterECU.org.
If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Nicole Andrino at 423-303-5618 or email [email protected].