Nov 27 2008
The Empty Stocking Fund
With today being Thanksgiving, a time when many families celebrate with feasts and togetherness, the mind often turns to those who are less fortunate. Perhaps you have donated money or food or both at your local grocery or place of worship. Maybe you are one of those who will go to the local mission or homeless shelter to help prepare and serve the food to those who are less fortunate. Whatever you do, the holidays generally bring out that which is good in us.
With the Christmas holiday yet to come you may be wondering what you can do to help those who are less fortunate. In Knoxville, the local newspaper, the Knoxville News Sentinel has been involved with the Empty Stocking Fund in one respect or another since 1912. Initially the goal of the Empty Stocking Fund was to feed the hungry. Today the Empty Stocking Fund feeds about 3,500 families and supplies toys to about 2,300 underprivileged children. This year, with unemployment on the rise and many families displaced because of foreclosure or other economic reasons, the need is very great.
If you and your family are in need of the assistance that the Empty Stocking Fund can provide please contact the Community Action Committee (CAC) Christmas Clearing House Line at 865-524-2521 to apply. Applications will be accepted through November.
Donations are greatly appreciated as they make the fund possible. If you would like to donate, please send checks made payable to ESF to:
News Sentinel ESF
2332 News Sentinel Drive
Knoxville, TN 37921
There is also a great need for volunteers to help put together and distribute baskets. Here is the volunteer schedule:
Wednesday, December 17th:
- 10am - 4 pm: 20 volunteers needed
Thursday, December 18th:
- 1am - 1pm: 25 volunteers needed
- 2pm - 5pm: 150 volunteers needed
- 6pm - 9pm: 200 volunteers needed
Friday, December 19th:
- 8am - 11am: 20 volunteers needed
- 11am - 2pm: 20 volunteers needed
- 2pm - 5pm: 20 volunteers needed
Monday, December 22nd:
- 9am - 1pm: 25 volunteers needed
- 1pm - 5pm: 50 volunteers needed
Tuesday, December 23rd:
- 6:30am - 11am: 700 volunteers needed
- 11am - 1pm: 60 volunteers needed
