Knoxville Community Comes Together to Support Flood Survivors This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving is alive and well in Knoxville. This year, the community is rallying to support families affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Many families that faced the aftermath of the hurricane have reached out to the local Empty Stocking Fund for additional holiday meal boxes. The need is urgent, as families work diligently to rebuild their homes and businesses while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy during the festive season.
A Heartfelt Donation Makes a Big Difference
Thanks to a generous donation from the Knoxville-based advertising firm, Tombras, an additional 50 families in the flood zones will receive holiday meal boxes this Christmas. Dooley Tombras, the president and owner of the firm, expressed his compassion towards the affected families, saying, “I can only imagine how difficult it must be for survivors of Hurricane Helene to pull themselves out of the devastation they’ve faced.” His heartfelt remarks reflect the deep empathy shared by many in Knoxville regarding the challenging circumstances of their neighbors.
Tombras acknowledged the critical role that organizations such as the Empty Stocking Fund play during such tough times. “As a family-owned, Knoxville-based business, we’re so grateful the Empty Stocking Fund and other organizations like it exist to help East Tennesseans in times like these, and that we are able to support their important work,” he added.
Responding to Community Needs
The donation from Tombras is a timely blessing, allowing the Empty Stocking Fund to fulfill emergency requests while also continuing to support approximately 3,000 families in their distribution area. “Tombras quickly stepped in when we realized our neighbors were hurting,” said Joel Christopher, who serves as the editor and president of the Empty Stocking Fund. “The gift allows our nonprofit to say ‘yes’ to those who lost so much in the floods.”
Creating Memories Around the Dinner Table
The Empty Stocking Fund has a heartfelt mission: to help families come together over a festive meal during the holidays. The organization aims to ensure that families not only enjoy a warm Christmas dinner but also have enough food to sustain them through the week. Whether families are facing a one-time challenge or enduring tougher times, the Empty Stocking Fund has been there, unwavering in its support since 1912.
What’s remarkable about the Empty Stocking Fund is that every single dollar donated goes towards providing food assistance to families in need. It operates on a completely volunteer-run basis, meaning that the community’s support goes directly to the effort to help those who require it most. The Knoxville-Knox County CAC assesses the families who will receive the assistance, while hundreds of volunteers come together each December for the distribution week, making it a truly communal operation.
How to Help
As the holiday season seems to be creeping up on us, there’s still an opportunity for those wanting to lend a hand. Tax-deductible donations made right now will help the Empty Stocking Fund purchase high-quality food products, including hams and fresh produce, essential for the holiday meal boxes.
If you’re looking to contribute towards spreading some cheer this season, visit the Empty Stocking Fund’s website or reach out to local organizations involved in this heartwarming initiative. Every little bit helps, and together, we can ensure that our neighbors have a memorable holiday filled with warmth, joy, and hope.
