Volunteers, special events support Empty Pantry Fund - Maryville Daily Times

Volunteers, special events support Empty Pantry Fund - Maryville Daily Times

The mission of the Empty Pantry Fund to provide food for less-fortunate Blount County citizens at Christmas is accomplished through the efforts of volunteers. Donations of funds, time and effort to the project have become a Christmas tradition for many who plan their December activities around Empty Pantry Fund packing and delivery.

Vernon Petree is one of these volunteers. Petree serves on the EPF Board of Directors as the Blount County Jaycees representative and has supported the project, now in its 65th year, for decades.

Why does he continue to support the Empty Pantry Fund? One instance of many that stands out to him is from a delivery day experience he had with a recipient several years ago.

Petree had been having health issues and was on kidney dialysis that year. He didn’t want to miss volunteering, however, and since he was able to pick up the heavily laden bags of food for delivery, he opted to do so.

“I went to a house — I didn’t recognize the name — and found someone who was going through the same dialysis as I was,” he recalled. “She was sitting there in a wheelchair. I broke out in tears because I felt so good at being able to help her.” He added, “I don’t get out and go like I used to, but I still try. I don’t want to stop. The only thing that’s going to stop me is when I’m six feet under.”

Candlelight Tribute, Memorial trees help EPF

Smith Funeral and Cremation Service and Grandview Cemetery are continuing the tradition of community service with the Memorial Christmas Tree project at the funeral home and the Candlelight Tribute at the cemetery.

The Memorial Christmas Tree program is a way for the public to memorialize loved ones and benefit the Empty Pantry Fund’s efforts to provide food for needy Blount County residents at the holidays. Donors, whether they have used the services of Smith or not, will have an ornament with their loved one’s name placed on one of the trees. All donations will be presented to the Empty Pantry Fund. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service is located at 1402 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville. Donations are still being accepted.

Grandview Cemetery’s Candlelight Tribute will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the cemetery, 2304 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville. By making a $5 donation, a candle will be placed on your loved one’s gravesite at the cemetery. All donations go to the Empty Pantry Fund. Visitors are invited to attend a reception afterwards at the historic Stevens Cabin located near the entrance, where live Christmas music will be provided by the Broadway Baptist Church Choir. Call 865-982-3730 for additional information. In case of inclement weather, the tribute will be rescheduled for Dec. 7.

Empty Pantry Fund President Lon Fox expressed his thanks, saying, “They continue to be our largest contributor each year for the Empty Pantry Fund.” Last year, the Candlelight Tribute raised $6,300 and the Memorial Christmas Tree project raised $3,763.

Donations to date include:

PREVIOUS BALANCE: $53,503.97

Tazz, $200

Larry and Ramona Armstrong, $100

In memory of Cheryl Purkey, $100

In memory of Bob Sherlin by Sue and Sandy Sherlin, $100

James and Peggy Payne, $50

In memory of Anita Bales by Marshall and Beverly Jackson, $500

Ira and Edna Foust, $50

In memory of my parents, J.F. and Sue Thompson, by Susan Thompson, $100

Doug and Sally Gross, $500

Marion and Norma Stokes, $150

Francis and Norma Garner, $500

Jerry and Betty Hurst, $50

Susan Roberts, $50

Col. (Ret.) Thomas and Brenda Roberts, $200

In memory of Maryann, $150

Knights of Columbus Council No. 3832, $300

Sylvia Caldwell, $150

John and Marjorie Nance, $150

In memory of our parents by Joe and Susan Bruce, $100

James and Susan Curtiss, $100

Praise for all the Volunteers by Robert and Marilyn Meeker, $25

In memory of Dot and Don Watson, $225

Anonymous, $100

Mary C. Walker, $100

Anonymous, $100

In memory of our loved ones by Rozella Tallent family, $100

In loving memory of Scott McInturff and Allen McInturff by Anne Capps and Eric McInturff, $100

Sue and Wilson Borden, $100

Anonymous, $75

In loving memory of Elaine Fields by Ronnie and Susan Dunlap, $25

In memory of our parents by Larry and Joann Garner, $200

Anonymous, $100

Bill and Gwen Phillips, $2,000

Francis and Linda Turmo, $50

Anonymous, $30

In honor of my parents, Bill and Betty Koontz, by their son, Danny, $100

In memory of Magaline Cable, $100

Dianne Richmond, $50

TOTAL – THANK YOU: $60,683.97