Kent and Ellen McNish Grant for Older Adult Food Security

Kent and Ellen McNish Grant for Older Adult Food Security is sponsored by ENCORE Ministry Foundation. Provides grants to churches and communities to support food security for senior adults.

Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security - ENCORE Ministry Foundation Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security Honoring Kent McNish’s service as ENCORE Ministry’s founding executive director, the Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security was established.

Grants from the fund are available to Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Conference United Methodist churches for alleviating hunger and malnourishment among older adults. Funds raised from now until June 30, 2024, will be matched — up to $50,000. McNish retires on December 31, 2023.

Since 2013, the Golden Cross Foundation and its successor, ENCORE Ministry, have awarded over $1 million in grant money to more than 130 congregations and organizations in the TWK Conference.

During McNish’s leadership, ENCORE Ministry also has: Funded the construction of four houses in Waverly, Tennessee, for older adults left homeless by a 2021 flood Donated $100,000 to help people whose lives were disrupted by a series of tornadoes in Western Kentucky and West Tennessee in 2021 Created the Bill and Lynn McAlilly Fund for Church Accessibility “Kent has led and served ENCORE Ministry well.

This new fund honors his work and passion for providing grant funding to assist church leaders of the TWK Conference for intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults,” said Charles Hewgley, board chair. To give to the Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Ministry, click here . For more information, contact John Rivas at or 615-660-3509.

Age-Friendly Congregations Recognized at Holston Annual Conference Congratulations to the newest Age-Friendly Congregations recognized at the Holston Annual Conference on June 2!

These congregations earned their Age-Friendly Neighbors, Meals, and Stability: Jacob’s Ladder’s Response to Hunger in an Inner-City Community In a one-mile-square Memphis neighborhood of about 2,800 residents, Jacob’s Ladder has spent more than 20 years responding to poverty, Casting a Vision for the Future of ENCORE Ministry Foundation There are moments in the life of every ministry when the future calls for both faith and courage.

For ENCORE Ministry Foundation, this is one of those moments. 2025 Annual Impact Report Strengthening Communities.