September 15 – 18 Christmas Clearinghouse
December 2 Giving Tuesday
December 18 (Thurs) Food Basket Packing Day
December 21 (Sun) Food Basket Delivery
In December, 1952 The Empty Pantry Fund started as a joint venture between the Jaycees and The Daily Times. The first year we delivered over 100 baskets, that number grew to 500 baskets, then 1,000. Today we serve over 1,250 baskets of food to underprivileged residents throughout Blount County.
Empty Pantry Fund nears 60% of goal
Linda Braden Albert Correspondent for The Daily Times
Empty Pantry Fund President Lon Fox has a short message for anyone wishing to make the holidays brighter for Blount County’s less fortunate: “Help us help them for Christmas.”
The Empty Pantry Fund is a 501©(3) nonprofit formed in 1952 by the Blount County Jaycees and The Daily Times to help relieve food insecurity during the holidays. This year’s goal is $117,000, which will provide 1,296 food baskets delivered to recipients’ homes by volunteers on Dec. 21, as well as 144 homeless care packages to be distributed by A Place to Stay and Community Food Connection.
57% raised
“Currently, we have achieved 57% of our goal with two weeks left before we receive the food, pack the baskets and deliver the food to the less fortunate across Blount County,” Fox said.
“We’ve still got a long way to go. We still need to raise thousands, but each donation, no matter how much, helps us reach that goal.
“We intend to provide enough food to feed a family of four on Christmas and then provide enough staple items to help sustain that family throughout the next week. It’s our goal that no one should go hungry during Christmas, and your donations make that goal attainable.”
The Empty Pantry Fund is completely volunteer-driven and includes no paid positions. Those who want to help pack food on Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory, or deliver baskets and toys provided through the Junior Service League of Maryville’s Toys for Blount County project on Sunday, Dec. 21, are encouraged to register on the EPF website, (www.emptypantryfund.org](http://www.emptypantryfund.org). Registration is not mandatory; volunteers may simply show up at the armory on either day.
“We are very fortunate to live in a community that is so generous with their time and money,” Fox said. “I am amazed at the generosity of individuals, families, businesses and organizations in Blount County.”
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