The Empty Pantry Fund depends on donations from individuals and organizations to continue its 65-year-old mission of providing food to hungry Blount County citizens during the Christmas holiday. This includes corporate donors who are concerned with the well-being of the community in which they operate.
GUBMK Constructors is one of those corporate donors that has supported the EPF for several years. The company has two donations applied to the 2017 campaign. Lon Fox, president of EPF, said, “GUBMK made a spring donation” in addition to the donation presented on Nov. 6. GUBMK Constructors contracts with the Tennessee Valley Authority to do maintenance and modifications in seven states.
Brian Barker, vice president and program director for GUBMK, said, “GUBMK, the company, and me, personally, want to support our local community in as many ways as possible through our Community Involvement donations to agencies. We want to express our appreciation for all those who work so hard to bring help to those in need and those who serve our community. I encourage other companies to consider the Empty Pantry Fund for the upcoming holiday season.”
Barker said the company donates a percentage of its earnings to community projects through its Community Involvement Fund. “I try to direct this money in a way that means the most,” Barker said. Across the seven states in which GUBMK operates, each site supports its local community, directing donations to the places where the most good can be done, he said.
Other businesses have supported EPF. Fox said, “Grandview Cemetery and Smith Funeral and Cremation Service continue to be our largest corporate supporters of Empty Pantry Fund. They collect donations for the candlelight service at Grandview and the memorial Christmas tree at the funeral home each year, but this year, they stepped it up another notch supporting The Daily Times Golf Tournament that benefits the Empty Pantry Fund.”
Donations to date include:
BEGINNING BALANCE: $22,468.97
Maryville Alcoa Civitan, $300
In memory of Douglas Tallent by the ALCOA 25 Year Club, $25
Where it’s needed most, $500
Clover Hill Women’s Association, $100
William Law, $75
GUBMK Constructors, $2,000
Renegade Golf, $850
Rick Betteridge, $100 (Paypal donation)
New Providence PWC Community Benefit Sale, $1,000
Dennis Ryniec and Donna Worrell, $25
In memory of Raleigh and Audith Dixon, $100
Anonymous donation, $100
In memory of Bobbie Chaney Frye by Diana Chaney Smith, $30
Tommy and Linda Millsaps, $200
Russell and Johnnie Hayes, $200
In memory of Douglas E. Tallent by Rozella Tallent, $100
George and Dotty Smith, $100
William Law, $50
Anonymous, $100
Barbara and Bryan Steverson, $200
Alcoa Walmart Employees, $1,000
GUBMK Constructors, $5,000
Brian and Rosemary Barker, $500
Tazz, $200
Jerry and Vicki Bowdish, $100
In loving Memory of Ernest Koella Trotter by Carl Koella III, $100
Gene Robert, $100
Melitta Stoutt, $25
Kathryn and Jim Twyford, $100
Alfred and Brenda Tullock, $200
Robin and David Kinser, $25
Amy and Roger Newman, $100
Elizabeth and Samuel Barto, $40
Gary and Janice Wade, $100
In memory of Ancel M. Lynn, $100
Rob Goddard, $150
Arthur and Eula Gray Goddard, $150
In memory of our parents by J.R. and Sharon Young, $100
Tazz, $200
Anonymous Change Donation, $54
TOTAL, THANK YOU: $36,967.97
