The Empty Pantry Fund

05/11/2025

05/11/2025

A non-profit organization providing food for families in Blount County, Tennessee during the holidays.

03/11/2025

Empty Pantry Fund campaign kicks off
By Linda Braden Albert - The Daily Times

The Empty Pantry Fund has been providing food to less-fortunate Blount County residents at Christmas since 1952, and that tradition of giving continues in 2025.

The uniquely Blount County charity kicks off its 2025 fundraising drive today, Nov. 1. With food insecurity an increasing concern due to the government’s shutdown and suspension of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, the need for food baskets to help families with meals at Christmas and for several days beyond is even more critical.

Although the official fundraising campaign runs from the first Saturday in November through Dec. 31, supporters may make donations via PayPal on the EPF website, www.emptypantryfund.org, at any time of year.

EPF President Lon Fox said a total of $15,195 cash plus a $2,500 gift card donation from Food City are already on the books for 2025. These donations were received beginning Jan. 1 when the balance of the current year’s fundraising resets to zero.

Need is great
Blount County residents registered to receive food from EPF as well as toys via Junior Service League of Maryville’s Toys for Blount County in September during the annual Christmas Clearinghouse. If you missed Clearinghouse, visit www.emptypantryfund.org to be placed on a wait list. If you need to make changes to your registration, either visit the website or call 865-617-1941.

The need is great. Fox said, “In 2025, 1,296 baskets will be delivered to Blount County families in need and we are packing 144 homeless bags that will be distributed by our partners, A Place to Stay and Community Food Connection, over a period of time during the Christmas season. Together, we will pack more than 1,400 baskets of food.”

Foods will be packed on Thursday, Dec. 18, and will be delivered Sunday, Dec. 21. For information on volunteering to pack and/or deliver both food and toys, visit the EPF website.

Race Against Hunger fundraiser
The Empty Pantry Fund, along with Kagley’s Chapel Baptist Church food pantry, will be the recipients of donations collected at the Alcoa Food City store through Food City’s Race Against Hunger promotion. Store manager Austin Earhart said Food City began the promotion in 1992, raising a significant amount of money for local hunger relief organizations. He said, “Last year, Race Against Hunger for the total company raised more than $450,000.

“Customers wishing to donate can simply select a desired dollar amount and it’s added to their total,” Earhart said. “It officially starts Nov. 5 and runs through Dec. 2. Our cashiers are actually asking our customers at the end of their transaction if they would like to donate to Race Against Hunger.

“We’ve been giving to Empty Pantry Fund about four years now,” Earhart added. “We love to help out in the community and be there for the need.”

A non-profit organization providing food for families in Blount County, Tennessee during the holidays.

20/10/2025

From Linda Albert: I write the stories for The Daily Times covering the Empty Pantry Fund each year beginning with the campaign kickoff on the first Saturday (Sunday until the paper ceased having a print version on Sunday) of November, which is Nov. 1 this year. EPF was founded in 1952 by the Blount County Jaycees in collaboration with The Daily Times to assist families in need of food at Christmas. What I'd like to do is a phone interview with someone who has memories of being assisted by EPF in the past and learn what it meant to you and your family, or to interview someone who has been volunteering on why they do so. EPF is all-volunteer, from the board of directors to the people who pack foods and then deliver them shortly before Christmas. There's no overhead, no salaries, only food and the bags they are packed in plus a few costs to stay legal. If you'd like to talk with me, email me at [email protected] and we'll set it up. To make a donation, visit the website at www.emptypantryfund.org to donate via Paypal, mail a check made out to Empty Pantry Fund to The Daily Times, 226 Gill Street, Alcoa, TN 37701, or drop by TDT reception desk.

19/09/2025

🎄If you or someone you know didn’t register during Clearinghouse, please go to emptypantryfund.org to register online. We have a few spots left!🎄

17/09/2025

Registration is open today and tomorrow! Please share with anyone who may benefit from this this Christmas season.

08/09/2025

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Clearinghouse. Be sure to share so we can reach as many people in need as possible. Also, donations are always needed to make all of this possible. Make your donation today at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AHR6DHGYFDB22

11/08/2025

2025 Dates to remember:

September 15 – 18 Christmas Clearinghouse
December 2 Giving Tuesday
December 18 (Thurs) Food Basket Packing Day
December 21 (Sun) Food Basket Delivery

15/12/2024

Our favorite day of the year!!! Thank you so much for another successful delivery day!!

19/11/2024

2024 Volunteer information for Empty Pantry Fund Packing and Empty Pantry Fund and Toys for Blount County Delivery

Packing - Thursday 12/12 - sign up on our website www.emptypantryfund.com and click the packing volunteers button. The shifts are 9:00 - 1:00 or 5:00 - 9:00

Delivery - Sunday 12/15 sign up on our website www.emptypantryfund.com and click the delivery volunteers button.

A non-profit organization providing food for families in Blount County, Tennessee during the holidays.

25/10/2024

Thinking about getting a membership to BJ’s? Help Empty Pantry Fund at the same time! Join for $20 and EPF gets $10! Already have a membership, renew with us and EPF gets $5! All you have to do is call 1-800-313-8887 to join and give our group code 814023!

17/10/2024

Friendsville FOOD AND TOY Information:

Starting October 16th through October 30th, if you are in need of help for Christmas presents and/or food, you can call one of the below numbers to request items for Christmas for children under 18, that live in your household! Each family will also receive a food basket. You must be a resident of the 37737 area! Seniors in need of one time food assistance for the Holidays, can call-in also. Signs will soon be posted in Friendsville!

865-253-4404
865-363-4251
865-661-0292