Food City recognizes district winners

Employees receive awards for outstanding volunteerism During a June 2002 White House meeting, President Bush met with corporate leaders from organizations across the nation and key White House staff members to discuss objectives for his Businesses Strengthening America volunteerism campaign. Steve Smith, president and chief executive officer for K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., Food City’s parent company was among the select group. Following the White House session, Smith administered the creation of Food City’s annual Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program, to recognize outstanding volunteerism among their associates. “Throughout the years, our company has wholly dedicated itself to serving the citizens of the communities in which we operate,” said Smith. “Many of our associates volunteer their time and talents to numerous organizations in support of their communities and we felt it needful to formally recognize their selfless contributions.” Befittingly, the program was entitled in memory of K-VA-T’s beloved former president and board vice-chairman of 47 years, Claude P. Varney. Varney was well-known for his tremendous compassion and humanitarian services. Each year, special committees are established to review associate volunteer activities and select individual award recipients based on outstanding achievement in the areas of health, education, environment, cultural arts, recreational, heritage/history and public service. One winner is selected from each Food City location and corporate level. Store winners then move on to compete at district level, where ten overall district winners are selected. After reviewing the numerous organizations to which they volunteer their time and efforts, it’s not hard to see why these individuals were selected to receive the volunteerism award for their district: Ann Leatherwood, Food City #609, Parkway, Sevierville, TN Ann is employed as a cashier for Food City’s Parkway, Sevierville, TN location. In addition to her part-time duties, she volunteers with the Salvation Army, assisting with various programs, including their children’s summer camp. She also works with the Youth Outreach and Youth Ministries of Sevier County and the League of Mercy Senior Citizens Nursing Home, visiting with and assisting patients. Ann also teaches a class for her church’s annual bible school and assists with their youth camps. Ted LaFollette, Food City #604, Eastern Plaza, Newport, TN In addition to his part-time position as Courtesy Clerk for Food City’s Eastern Plaza location in Newport, TN, Ted volunteers a great deal of time to the Salem Lutheran Church, where he has been a member for over 60 years, assisting with the church’s youth and serving as Hospitality Committee member. He dedicates time to the Parrotsville Elementary School, where he reads to the children each Friday. Ted pays regular visits to his local nursing home and acts as Santa Clause at various community events during the holidays. Mabel Blankenship, Food City #629, State Franklin, Johnson City, TN Besides her full-time position as Salad Bar Coordinator for Food City’s State of Franklin location in Johnson City, TN, Mabel volunteers her time and talents to serve The Good Samaritan organization, collecting can goods, blankets and clothing. She also assists West Main Christian Church, where she attends with serving meals and collecting clothes for those in need. And Mabel assisted an African refugee and his wife in finding housing and furniture during their relocation to the Johnson City area. She collects school supplies for North Side School and recently completed a mission trip to Mexico, where she taught Bible School and conducted door-to-door visits, sharing her testimony. Don Morgan, Food City #674, Bearden Center, Knoxville, TN Besides his full-time position as Meat Manager of Food City’s Bearden Center location in Knoxville, TN, Don serves as a Sunday School teacher for the Hubb’s Grove Baptist Church, where he also holds the offices of Deacon, Trustee and Chairman of the Steering Committee. He is a Girl Scout sponsor and a Republican Party Delegate and also assists the Union County PTA. Debra Roop, Food City #681, Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge, TN In addition to her duties as full-time Bakery Manager for Food City’s Illinois Ave. location in Oak Ridge, TN, Debra volunteers her time and talents to assist her local church. She assists in collecting items for the homeless back pack ministry, serves as mission base coach for her Bible study class, and opens her home for Bible study fellowships. Debra is also a part of a 200+ voice choir and enjoys accompanying a group to Hazard, KY to distribute coats, clothes, toys, etc. to families in need. Barry Bostic, Food City #424, Paintsville, Ky. Emily Thurston, Food City #852, Bluefield, Va., Carroll Howard, Mid-Mountain Foods, Abingdon, Va., and Debbie Icenhour, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., Abingdon, Va. also received awards for their outstanding volunteerism. The ten district winners attended a special corporate luncheon on December 15, where they were publicly recognized for their outstanding service achievements with an award and a $250 contribution to their charity of choice. From among the ten district winners, two divisional winners will next be selected and honored with a plaque and a $500 charity contribution. And finally, one overall winner will be selected to receive the prestigious Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award and be publicly recognized for their outstanding achievements in addition to a $1,000 charity contribution made on their behalf. “We’re extremely proud of the difference our associates make through their many humanitarian contributions. Our company is committed to providing our associates the support they need to become the best corporate citizens possible,” summarized Smith.