Knoxville News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund partners with the community
to lend a helping hand to 3,600 families during the holidays
Continuing the tradition that began in 1912, the mission of the News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund is to provide food and toys to disadvantaged East Tennesseans.
Over 1,000 volunteers will gather this December to assemble 3,600 holiday food baskets, toys and books for our neighbors in need. Volunteers from churches, schools, scout troops, companies and others work the week before Christmas to fill the baskets with more than a week’s worth of groceries, which families use to prepare traditional meals for the holidays.
Variety of East Tennessee is the primary sponsor of the toy program, awarding a $30,000 grant towards the purchase of toys for the recipients. Additionally, several organizations are sponsoring toy and book drives. We are expecting around 3,000 children ages 0 – 16 to participate in this year’s Empty Stocking Fund.
“We are grateful to all of our partners and volunteers for coming together to brighten the holidays for these needy families,” said Patrick Birmingham, president and publisher of the News Sentinel. “This project is truly a collaborative effort, bringing families and friends together to help their neighbors.”
News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund basket assembly will begin December 17 at the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park Baskets will be delivered to those who are homebound on December 22 and all remaining recipients will pick up their basket on December 23. We thank the City of Knoxville for their dedicated and continued support of Empty Stocking Fund.
To learn how you can receive a News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund basket, please call (865) 524-2521 for specific instructions. The Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), a local social service agency, screens and manages the recipient process.
If you are interested in participating in basket preparations and distribution, please sign up on the volunteer tab at www.knoxnews.com/charities or call 865-342-6851.
If you would like to contribute to the News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund, donate online at www.knoxnews.com/charities or please send your check to: News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund, 2332 News Sentinel Drive, Knoxville, TN 37921. Please indicate with your donation how you would like to be listed in the News Sentinel as all donations are published as a thank you.
