Empty Pantry Fund packing mission accomplished - Maryville Daily Times

The mission Thursday night at the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory in Maryville required teamwork, dedication and logistics. It was packing night for the Empty Pantry Fund.

Over 1,300 people will receive bags of food Sunday morning through deliveries by volunteers with the EPF. Toys will also be provided for children via the Junior Service League’s Toys for Blount County.

The EPF, a joint project of The Daily Times and Blount County Jaycees, has been feeding hungry residents of Blount County during the Christmas season for 65 years. It has become a tradition for hundreds of Blount County volunteers, passed from one generation to another.

“The Empty Pantry Fund is one of the best projects in Blount County,” said Paul Bales, retired advertising major account executive with The Daily Times and former chairman of the EPF (1954 through 2011).

“So many people in Blount County want to help because they know every bit of money donated to the (EPF) goes straight to buying food for those that are in need. Ever since I was 6 years old, I have tried to do my best to aid people that need it. Showing up on packing night is my Christmas. It is great to see so many to do so much to help others.”

First-year volunteer Tammy Eden is spending her Christmas by donating her time to charity.

“I got one of these packages 34 years ago when I was a young mother,” Eden said. “This year I decided to pay back the charity I have received in life by assisting others.”

Patty Fletcher is another rookie volunteer.

“I think it is beautiful to donate your time to something like the (EPF),” Fletcher said. “My kids are doing well. I told them we are not doing anything for each other for Christmas. Instead, we are going to contribute to charities during the holiday season. I think helping others really brings communities together, and that is part of the meaning of Christmas.”

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Kali Smith, 4, packs cans on Thursday at the National Guard Armory during the Empty Pantry Fund packing night.

Brianna Bivens | The Daily Times

Military veterans and their families showed up for packing night. AMVETS Post 22 Commander Mark Frederick said this is the organization’s second year with the EPF.

“We are going to deliver to 45 area veterans,” Frederick said. “We also add a few things for the veterans, such as a spiral ham, homemade cookies and handmade hats. Our group not only gives back to vets through the EPF, but we help throughout the year and try to treat every day as a holiday for our veterans.”

Some volunteers never give up the good work, committing the rest of their lives to helping those who are less-fortunate. Milburn Waters was a major fixture of the EPF, supporting it since the beginning in 1952. He passed away Tuesday, and was missed by many on packing night.

“Volunteers like Milburn Waters lived to help people. Without the volunteers, we couldn’t provide bags of food for so many individuals in Blount County,” Bales said.

“So many volunteers showed up tonight that I thought I was going to a carnival or some other big event. It shows that residents in Blount County really care about each other.”

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