A time-honored community tradition continues today as volunteers converge on the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory to pack food baskets for Empty Pantry Fund recipients.
Individuals, families and church and civic groups will begin packing the baskets, which are actually large, sturdy bags, at 6 p.m. at the Armory, 1721 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. When packing is completed, 63 tons of food will be ready for volunteers to deliver Sunday, making Christmas merrier for Blount County families in need.
Anyone who would like to participate in packing the foods is welcome to come and see a community’s labor of love in action, organizers said. Volunteers who wish to run a delivery route will pick up their route sheets tonight, as well.
On Sunday, delivery day, doors at the Armory will open at 7 am for loading the food bags into volunteers’ vehicles. In conjunction with the food deliveries, toys provided through Junior Service League of Maryville’s Toys for Blount County also will be delivered.
Funds still needed
Although all the food baskets will be packed and delivered on schedule, funds are still needed to meet the budget.
“Currently, we are about $40,000 away from our fundraising goal for 2019,” EPF President Lon Fox said. “With the delivery date being earlier than usual this year, I’m worried that everyone will think that since the food has arrived, then that must mean we have raised all of the money to pay for it all.”
In the past, Fox said he would have called EPF Chairman Emeritus Paul Bales, who died in September, with his concerns.
“I can’t call Paul this year but I know what he would say — ‘Just have faith in the people of Blount County to fill the need,'” Fox said. “Paul had faith in the generosity of the people of Blount County for 50 years. I’ve been in this leadership position for the last eight years, so it still makes me a little nervous.
“When we agreed to purchase 1,450 baskets of food this year, I never once thought about not raising the money to pay for the food baskets, I just thought about the families who need the food, and made the decision to commit to those families, he said. “I am surprised the need still exists but when you think about the growth in population in Blount County, we are only talking about 3.3% of the population who has asked for help this Christmas. So, my message continues to be the same: I have faith in the people, organizations and businesses of Blount County to raise the funds to purchase the food this year to fulfill a need that still exists in Blount County.”
Donations for 2019 will be accepted through Dec. 31
12 days of giving
To help with fundraising, the Empty Pantry Fund Board is launching its “12 Days of Giving” campaign beginning today and continuing through Dec. 24
“It will be where people can donate through Facebook,” EPF board member Jamey Hearon said. “People can share the page for donations from their account to show up in others’ newsfeeds.”
Keenan Sudderth, webmaster and technology director, said: “In this effort, we’re seeking to raise $12,000 in 12 days to help fill our funding gap.”
Each day will give an opportunity to sponsor a particular item in the food baskets and a suggested donation amount. For example, on Day 1, donors are invited to sponsor one family’s food basket with a suggested donation of $75; on Day 2, a suggested donation of $14 will provide a bag of apples and oranges for two families; etc. Even though a recommended donation is suggested, any amount is appreciated.
“Every penny helps us bring families meals for the holidays,” Sudderth said.
For information, visit the Empty Pantry Fund Facebook page or the website at www.empty pantryfund.com. Use the #12DaysOfEPF on your social media platforms. Contributions also can be mailed or hand-delivered to The Daily Times, 307 E. Harper Ave., Maryville, TN 37804.
Donations to date
BALANCE FORWARD, $81,189.15
SCCY Firearms and CEO/owner Joe Roebuck, $5,000
In memory of James Buckner, $100
In memory of Howard and Ruth Stephens, $50
In memory of Betty Horton by Charlie and Linda Rogers, $50
In memory of Stanley Cash by Charlie and Linda Rogers, $50
In memory of Randy Simerly, Christopher Nitzband and Delphia Smith, $150
James and Eleanor Sikes, $50
In memory of Jean Flickinger, $200
In memory of Dr. Tom Holder and Erin Holder Williams by Lynn Holder, $250
In memory of our parents by Paul and Nancy Greutman, $25
In memory of Paul Bales, $500
Knights of Columbus Council No. 3832, $300
In memory of Ruby Angel and Harold Howarter, $100
In honor of Bob Sherlin by Sue and Sandy Sherlin, $100
In memory of Allison Lund by Terry and Martha Lund, $100
Law’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, $100
In loving memory of Fred and Troy Belle Waggoner by Leland Waggoner, $1,000
Beulah and Elmer Helton, $50
In memory of Clara Sentell, $50
In memory of my husband, Bill Driskill, and our son, David, by Joyce Driskill, $100
In memory of our dear friend and neighbor Matt L. Crooks Jr. by Paul and Lesli
In memory of my dear friend Paul Bales by Linda Bible, $50
In memory of my parents, Bill and Lucille Rice, by Linda Bible $50
Ernest and Joyce Frey, $100
Judith and Robert Griffin, $200
James and Peggy Pemberton, $50
In memory of George (Mike) Blackburn and Jason Blackburn by Pat Blackburn, $500
Fred and Charlotte Meadows, $500
Jaycee’s Christmas Parade Sheet Collections and Basketball Classic Program donations, $638
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