The UT Firewood Bank held a celebration to mark one year of operation and to look forward to the coming year. The celebration took place at the UT Arboretum on March 7.

People enjoyed food and heard from Dr. Adam Taylor, who started the firewood bank. He says it is similar to a food bank but for heating instead of eating.

Taylor showed attendees the equipment used to process the wood and where it’s stored. Taylor, his son, and volunteers, including UT students, cut and stockpiled the wood for deliveries. Most of the wood comes from UT AgResearch land and its Oak Ridge Arboretum.

The bank partnered with Anderson County Community Action in the fall of 2024 to deliver free firewood to the organization’s food bank recipients. The bank is a cooperative effort of UT Extension, the UT Forest Resources REC, volunteers, and students in the UT Forestry Club.

Anyone interested in volunteering or learning about the bank can contact Adam Taylor at 865-946-1125.