Our Story
The History of the Empty Stocking Fund
By the late Jacquelyn Brown, former News Sentinel Community Services Manager on 11/23/1997
When the late Raleigh Harrison, a Knoxville lawyer, and a group of Knoxville citizens proposed a project to feed needy families at Christmas back in 1912, they couldn’t have known that their big idea would still be going strong nearly a hundred years later.
The Beginning
They only wanted to bring Christmas cheer and happiness to those less fortunate than themselves, and they sought the help of the Knoxville Sentinel in their campaign for funds.
They named their fund-raising effort the Empty Stocking Fund because their goal was to provide for those whose Christmas stockings would otherwise be empty.
Their first goal was to feed the hungry. While the need exists year-round, it seems particularly cruel for people, especially families with growing children, to go to sleep on empty stomachs when there are signs of merriment, prosperity and plenty all about.
Those early baskets contained a rump roast, some pork and beans, vegetables, fruit and candy. Later, toys that had been repaired were added. In time, the rump roast was replaced by a 3-pound chicken, and more canned goods, produce and staples went into the basket.
How the Empty Stocking Fund Has Evolved
Empty Stocking Fund recipients now receive a 5-pound ham, cranberry sauce and stuffing mix, and enough staples — 40 items in all — to provide for Christmas dinner as well as other meals during the holiday season.
Over a joy-filled week of hard work, our army of volunteers converges on the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park to set up thousands of baskets and prepare for distribution day. On the Saturday before Christmas, families who qualified for a basket through a screening process by our partner, Knox County Community Action Committee, arrive to pick up their basket.
Recipients and Volunteers
While the content of groceries and toys may have changed, many elements that go into the Empty Stocking fund have remained the same.
The applications of prospective recipients have always been routinely checked to be sure of their eligibility and to eliminate duplication of effort with other charitable organizations.
The people who apply and their reasons for seeking assistance are basically the same. They exist on very low incomes, usually the result of job layoffs, disability, chronic diseases, or desertion — or a combination of factors.
The people who volunteer to help with basket distribution, and those who give generously year after year, are motivated to give by the stories we share during our annual campaign.
Board Officers
President:
Joel Christopher, Knox News
Vice President:
CJ Ogle, Citizen Agency
Secretary:
Tess Hallman, Realty Trust Group
Treasurer:
Susanne White, CPA, Meridian Trust & Investment
Board Members
Susan Baker, Community Volunteer
Richard Hollow, Hollow and Hollow, LLC
Judith Pelot, Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee
Todd Rives, Knox News
Marti Townsend, Knox News
Chris Casteel, First Neighborhoods Realty
Betsi James, Food City
Ernie Roberts, East TN PBS
Sarah Riley, Knox News
Jennifer Dedman, Knox News