The Knox Pride Community & Resource Center abruptly shut its South Knoxville site on Thursday after a security scare involving an armed individual, according to center staff. The closure put in-person drop-in services and the center's no‑barrier pantry on hold for the day. Staff told visitors they plan to be back to normal hours on Friday at 11 a.m.
According to WATE, Knox Pride announced the shutdown around 10 a.m., saying it was acting "out of an abundance of caution" while staff review safety protocols. The message did not identify the person involved, but it did say everyone at the center was safe and thanked the community for its patience.
What the center provides
Open since 2021, the Knox Pride Community & Resource Center runs a no‑barrier food pantry, a thrift store and life‑skills programming that primarily serves LGBTQ+ neighbors and people experiencing homelessness. The center operates on Chapman Highway and lists its hours, contact information and service details on its website, as shown on Knox Pride.
How many people rely on it
Organizers say the pantry serves between 200 and 300 people a day and that in 2025 the program distributed more than 122,000 pounds of food, underscoring how critical it is as a local safety net. Those figures were reported by WATE.
Past threats and context
This is not the first time the center has dealt with hostile attention. In 2023, staff discovered a hateful anti‑trans banner at the site and alerted federal and local law enforcement, according to reporting from WVLT. Advocates point to that incident as part of a broader pattern of threats that helps explain why the center moves quickly to tighten security after any unsettling incident.
Next steps and how to help
Knox Pride says it will reopen Friday and use the brief closure to revisit security procedures and coordinate with partner organizations. Community members who want to pitch in can find volunteer opportunities and donation information on Knox Pride, while the group’s 2024 appeal for community support highlighted its ongoing need for financial backing.
