KARM Stores is now open in Athens!

Our new thrift store is located at 921 Decatur Pike in the McMinn plaza between Ingle’s and Workout Anytime.

About Us

KARM Stores is a group of thrift stores created as a funding source for Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) to help support their essential programs with 100% of our profits. KARM meets the immediate needs of their guests by providing food, shelter, and health care. Once their immediate needs are met, they take the time to find the root cause of the guests’ homelessness to help them get the tools and resources to find sustainable employment and housing.

KARM Stores in Athens accepts donations in the rear of the building Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (see map for directions). After 6:00 PM, we can accept donations inside the store until 9:00 PM.

We take new and gently-used clothing, shoes, furniture, household goods, books, toys, and much more. For larger items, you can also schedule a free donation pickup and we can come to you. Click the links below for more information.

Connecting The Dots From Knoxville to Athens

When guests arrive at Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM), they are asked to provide the address of their last residence. This information is used to track where the guests are coming to us from. Outside of Knox County, 62 other Tennessee counties were recorded. Of those counties, Hamilton County ranked 7th on the highest number of guests served, McMinn County ranked 10th, Bradley County ranked 11th, and Monroe County ranked 12th (reported Feb. 2025). KARM Stores is used as a funding source for KARM, as we provide 100% of our profits to support KARM and all of their amazing programs.

Even though the building is in Knoxville, the impact is felt across East Tennessee. Thank you for supporting your community by donating and shopping with us!

Corners of Your Field is a partnership between local churches and Knox Area Rescue Ministries. Corners Of Your Field encourages members of your church to be intentional about selecting their gently-used household items for donation to KARM Stores. KARM Stores then returns a portion of the donation’s value in the form of gift cards to your church to be used to help those directly in the Athens community.

Do you want to become a partner? Email info@karmstores.com with your full name, contact information, and church name.