$50,000+ to Second Harvest

Betsi JamesBlount, Our Town Eats, South Knox

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee received more than $50,000 of Hormel hams and $3,750 in Food City gift cards in a presentation Jan. 27 at Second Harvest’s warehouse in Maryville.

Baldwin joins finance team

Sara Baldwin has joined Food City as director of finance and planning.

Sara Baldwin

Born and raised in Newport, Tennessee, Baldwin joined Food City in 2008, working as a cashier, while attending East Tennessee State University. She left the company in 2013 to pursue a teaching career and returned in 2016, as a financial analyst.

In 2017, Baldwin was promoted to financial planning and analysis supervisor and advanced to her most recent role of finance senior manager in 2019. Baldwin is responsible for oversight of the company’s finance, treasury and budgeting functions. In her new role, she will become a member of the company’s senior staff executive leadership team.

Baldwin holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA from ETSU. She belongs to several professional associations and was named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2020 by the Tri-City Business Journal. She lives in Johnson City with husband, Jerred, and son, Bryce.

Food City honors volunteers

Each year Food City recognizes outstanding volunteerism among its associates through the Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program. Mr. Varney was a president and board vice chair of Food City.

It’s awesome and overwhelming to see the volunteer work contributed by Food City associates. We are proud of each one.

Two South area store winners are:

Rosemary Gendrean, South Grove store: She has volunteered for nine years with Sevier County Missing Pets. She is a detective for lost pets, seeking where the pet was last seen. She talks to neighbors and sets up live traps if needed.

Rosemary Gendrean

“If it’s a stray, I take it to the shelter or hold it until a home is found. A few years ago I went to Gatlinburg to try and get a stray dog. It took three months to trap him because he was very scared, but once caught he became the sweetest dog,” she said.

“It’s very rewarding helping the animals, being their voice so they can have a better life, and I’ve met so many wonderful people through this and made lots of friends that share the same passion for animals as I do.”

Melissa and Jimmy Lane

Jimmy Lane, 11503 Chapman Highway, Seymour: He has volunteered for three years with the Bower Field Athletic Association (BFAA). He has organized fundraisers. He also assists with field cleanup and prepping for games and tournaments.

Committees review associates’ volunteer activities and select store winners who compete within their district.

Twelve district winners are recognized with an award and a $250 contribution to their choice charity. Two divisional winners are then chosen and honored with a plaque and a $750 charity contribution. Finally, one overall winner is selected to receive the Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award and be publicly recognized for their outstanding achievements in addition to a $1,250 charity contribution made on their behalf.

Betsi James is special events manager for Food City’s Knoxville and Chattanooga divisions.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *