By Karen Coppock
Reliable transportation is one of the biggest barriers to becoming independent for people in need. According to a 2022 CDC study, an average of nearly 6% of U.S. adults had no reliable way to get to their jobs or do everyday tasks like grocery shopping or going to healthcare appointments. This lack of consistent transportation can affect one’s ability to earn a steady income and be self-sufficient. Local nonprofit Wheels Knoxville Car Ministry aims to help by repairing donated vehicles and providing them to individuals and families who are in acute need of transportation.
The nonprofit currently operates as part of a collaborative, all-volunteer ministry, Driving Hope, which receives potential participant referrals only from local community partners, including First Foundations, Operation Hope, Focus Ministries, YWCA, and Restoration House. Natalie Knauth, one of the Wheels Knoxville co-founders and a volunteer board member, noted that “You can give somebody a car, but it’s not necessarily going to fix their problems or change their life unless they’re ready for it. These referrals tell us ‘we’ve been working with this family or this individual; they can handle this responsibility.’ They need this opportunity to better their lives.”
Richard Consoli, Driving Hope’s Board President, added, “That whole ministry of walking alongside [clients] is really something that makes a big difference.” Driving Hope checks to ensure that the candidate wants to be successful and can meet the requirements of the program.
After that initial vetting, potential participants are referred to another Driving Hope partner, Anchored Foundation, if they are able to make payments toward a car. If that’s not currently possible, the client is instead referred to Wheels Knoxville. Other Wheels Knoxville requirements include a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance coverage, and payment of title transfer (approximately $80).
The nonprofit has provided donated vehicles to recipients ranging from single moms, to young adults coming out of foster care, to individuals with physical disabilities. The common thread is that they are in urgent need of a reliable vehicle for independent work and life.
Wheels Knoxville appreciates the generous donors who have gifted cars to the organization! Donated vehicles are sometimes inherited from relatives or are older models that have high mileage. The vehicle may have cosmetic imperfections. Sometimes the owner has simply purchased a newer vehicle and didn’t trade in the old car.
Knauth also pointed out, “People who don’t have a car don’t care if it has dents. They don’t care if it has faded paint. They don’t care if it’s got a cloth interior. They just need a car.” She shared an anecdote about a single mom who received an older minivan. “It [had] crank windows, no backup camera, but the air was cold and [the car] was safe. You would have thought we were giving her a Range Rover – she was so, so thankful.”
On average, it costs $984 to repair and/or refurbish each donated car. Knauth said, “All of the mechanics donate their time, but we are responsible for purchasing the parts needed to repair these cars.” She added, “Usually most of them have been sitting for a little bit, so they need four new tires, a lot of dead batteries.”
The nonprofit also provides the first two oil changes for free to help keep the cars in good working order.
Donated car titles are typically transferred to Wheels Knoxville to maintain anonymity, although donors can be there when the car is then transferred to the new owner, if everyone agrees. Wheels Knoxville also asks recipients to write a thank you card to the donor. Knauth remarked that most donors are touched and happy that their former vehicles are being put to good use. For more information on how to help, please visit their website at DrivingHopeTN.org/wheels.
How did Wheels Knoxville start?
“Steve Bowman started this as a hobby in 2017 when he helped his neighbor fix up a car and then convinced the neighbor to gift it to a friend in need,” shared Natalie Knauth. From there, Bowman started repairing and gifting other donated vehicles, and the ministry grew over the next few years, but he was doing all the work by himself.
When Knauth and her husband Alan purchased a new vehicle in 2023, they kept his old car. One of Alan’s coworkers told him about the nonprofit. “After Alan and I met with Steve and helped him with several vehicles, we were asked to help Steve turn Wheels Knoxville into an official nonprofit and join the board,” explained Knauth. Wheels Knoxville became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit in January 2025. “We now assist Steve with all the day-to-day activities [such as] fundraising, finding vehicles, logistics, repairs, delivery, etc.”
Started in 2017, Wheels Knoxville gifted its 100th car this spring! They just donated their 14th car of 2026, which equals the total number of vehicles gifted in 2025.
How to help
• Donate vehicles
• Donate funds
• Volunteer to help pick up vehicles, mentor participants, or repair cars
For more information on Wheels Knoxville’s mission and how to help, call 865-696-3437 or visit DrivingHopeTN.org/wheels.