Tullahoma Events Center     

The TEC offers assistance in donating unused food to needy individuals.  We work with Citizens for Homeless Relief, a 501(c)3 charitable organization which provides hot meals each Wednesday for low income people here in Tullahoma.  Food which has been maintained at a safe temperature (below 40 degrees or above 140 degrees) can be wrapped and left in our refrigerators for pickup by CFHR.  If you wish to participate, please call the TEC phone number to let us know there is food available.

The TEC encourages recycling by providing containers for six types of materials.  Aluminum, steel cans, glass, paper, cardboard, and #1 and #2 plastic can be placed in the storage room. 

Make sure food and beverage containers are empty and rinsed if possible to discourage bugs.  Or leave them in the dish sink.

Why recycle?  Recycling takes reusable materials from the waste stream, converts them into new products, and reduces the amount going to landfills.  For every ton of material recycled, the city is ahead about $100 by selling the material and not having to pay to dump it at the landfill.  Good for the environment, and good for our city budget.

The TEC partners with the Tullahoma Parks and Recreation Department and the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center to provide materials for crafts projects.  Wine bottles and colored tissue paper are our top contributions, but we are always on the lookout for other interesting items.

Wedding receptions and other events often generate a lot of fresh flowers.  Due to their limited life (particularly roses), we highly recommend that you plan ahead on what to do with them.  Purchase some inexpensive vases at a thrift store and transfer the bouquets into them, then deliver them to the nursing home or assisted living facility.  If a friend is in the hospital, consider taking a bouquet to them.  If your event is on Friday or Saturday, ask your church in advance if you could donate the flowers for Sunday morning services.  Fresh flowers are a tremendous expense, so please don't let them go to waste.  Share the beauty and the joy of your event.

Recycling was the theme of our demolition and construction.  If it had a potential use, we kept it out of the landfill.  Rolls of insulation taken from the ceiling were donated to anyone who asked for it.  Old wiring and metal pipes were sold for scrap.  Every reusable piece of lumber was stacked by size, from real 2x4s to 2x12s, pine flooring to knotty pine paneling.  Every single piece of structural lumber was recycled for walls, and we had to buy only one new piece to complete the wall structures.  The flooring salvaged from the old balcony (the former toy department) was laid on the new balcony (photo).  The paneling was used to highlight the "history wall", and there is a large stack of it stored.  New materials were chosen for their efficiency.  Low-E glass reduces energy costs, as does the three-brick-thick walls.  Florescent and CFLs were used wherever possible.  Instant hot water units were installed rather than conventional tank units.  Recycled products were also purchased, including the warming oven and 3-compartment dish sink from Lynchburg Elementary's cafeteria, the white board from East Lincoln Elementary, high chairs from The Stuffed Goose, and Dillard's provided the coat racks, standing picture frames, cupcake stand, and table signs.  We maintain our commitment to green by using natural, non-toxic vinegar and washable cloths for cleaning.