The Empty Pantry Fund’s 2019 campaign kicks off today, once again raising funds to supply food to Blount County’s citizens in need at Christmas — but this year it’s dedicated to longtime Chairman Paul Bales, 84, who died Sept. 7.
Bales chaired the organization, which began in 1952 as a collaboration between The Daily Times and the Blount County Jaycees, from 1954 to 2011.
Bales was the Empty Pantry Fund’s staunchest supporter even after he retired as chairman and his health declined. He still insisted on being present when foods were packed and prepared for delivery and then riding along on delivery day on the route he and the late Milburn Waters, who died in 2017, had run together for more than 50 years.
In addition to voting to honor Bales, the Empty Pantry Fund board of directors also voted unanimously at its Sept. 9 meeting to give Bales the title of “Chairman Emeritus.”
“Nobody else will ever have the title of chairman of the Empty Pantry Fund,” EPF President Lon Fox said.
‘Santa Bales’
In addition, the board voted to redesign the EPF logo to incorporate a Santa hat, which Bales often wore during packing and delivery, to signify Bales’ continuing impact on the charity. The logo will be used in advertising along with Bales’ usual greeting to friends, “Hey, Buddy!” followed by a suggestion to donate to the Empty Pantry Fund.
“I think this is an awesome way to memorialize Paul’s impact on this organization,” Fox said.
Applications for EPF food baskets and toys through Junior Service League of Maryville’s Toys for Blount County were accepted during the annual Christmas Clearinghouse in September. All baskets have been designated.
Food packing will take place on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory. Delivery will be on Sunday, Dec. 15.
The Empty Pantry Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and entirely volunteer driven. There are no paid staff positions, and all funds donated go directly to helping those in need.
In the final listing for 2018 published in January, the carryover balance was reported as $35,985.20, but Fox said, “We had donations from Paypal and other late donations that were deposited in 2018, leading to a kickoff balance of $36,320.65.”
These three donations are:
• The Daily Times collection box, $85.45
• Anonymous, $50
• Fae and Patrick Burkhart, $200
Donations received in 2019 to date include:
• Kickoff balance, $36,320.65
• Jeffrey Cohen, $20
• Casey Young, $300
• Love gift from Joy Fellowship Sunday School Class of Grace Memorial Church, $100
• Peck’s Memorial United Methodist Church, $104
• JustGive — Great Nonprofits, $95.50
• Blount County Home Brewers, $1,263
• Accenture, Your Cause, $25
• VFW Post No.10855, $200
• Where It’s Needed Most, $500
• Ray Brown, $500
• Alcoa Walmart Employees, $1,000
• Maryville Walmart Employees, $1,000
• William Law, $75
• New Providence Presbyterian Women’s Community (PWC) Benefit Sale, $1,300
• In memory of Paul Bales by Republic Services from Phoenix, Arizona, $5,000
• In memory of Paul Bales by Ruth Cole, $25
• In memory of Paul Bales by Letitia Hickman, $50
• John and Frances Dunn, $63
• In memory of Paul Bales by Steve and Cynthia Green, $200
• In memory of Paul Bales by Blount Partnership, $100
• In memory of Paul Bales by Sandra Vandenberg, $100
• In memory of Paul Bales by Brenda Chapman, $50
• In memory of Paul Bales by The Daily Times, $100
• In loving memory of Paul and Anita Bales by Nancy Baugh, $100
• Mark and Sonja Cutler, $215
• Anonymous, $25
• In honor of our grandchildren: Finn, Mitch, Pete and Ben by Al and Jeanne Redwine, $200
• In memory of Carroll R. “Mac” McMahan by Jim and Brenda Pershing, $100
• In memory of J.E. and Lola Pershing by Jim and Brenda, $200
• In memory of Dennis “Mr. P” Pershing by Jim and Brenda, $200
• In memory of Clarence and Eurie Ward by Brenda and Jim, $200
• Harold E. Brock, Jr., $300
• Anonymous gift, $50
• Bill and Gwen Phillips, $5,000
• In memory of Walter B. Bivens Sr., Bertha Bivens, Walter B. Bivens Jr., Ullin Bivens and Naomi Bivens, $500
TOTAL: $ 55,581.15.
