Food City’s retail supermarket chain annually recognizes outstanding volunteerism among their associates via their Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program.  The creation of the program came in response to President Bush’s call to boost volunteer efforts through corporate support.  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, Food City president and chief executive officer was among the select group. 

“As a company, we strive to maintain a high level of dedication to service, quality, value and community involvement, while providing a work environment that enables our associates to grow both personally and professionally as successful members of the team,” says 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.”

The program was entitled in memory of Food City’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, 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.  The field is then narrowed to twelve district level winners, followed by two divisional winners and finally the recipient of the highly esteemed Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award. 

After reviewing her extraordinary commitment to serving others, it’s not hard to see why Sarah Fennell of the Blaine, TN Food City was selected as this year’s Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award recipient.  Fennell, who serves as Cashier for the Blaine store has been employed with Food City for 2 years.  She volunteers her time and talents to assist numerous organizations, several of which she has served for 30 years or more.  Her volunteer activities include:

Farm Bureau Women - 32 years of service, dedicating 150 hours annually
•    Participates in the implementation of priority issues, takes part in leadership development opportunities, networks with other individuals and organizations and communicates the agricultural story to achieve a positive image for agriculture.
•    Organizes and supports many activities at the local, state, and national levels.
•    Involved with priority issues through policy development sessions and contacts elected officials on issues affecting agriculture.
•    Met with legislators concerning agricultural issues in Knoxville and Nashville, TN.
•    Actively involved with agriculture in the classroom program, farm day tours for local school children, and various opportunities to promote agriculture and the abundance of food and products agriculture provides the consumer.
•    In February, the organization purchased a pick-up truck load of food for donation to the Ronald McDonald house in Knoxville.
•    April 2017, they invited 28 young ladies from different parts of the county to a luncheon at the Farm Bureau office to recap activities the group is involved with.
•    June 2017, the women's group met with elected officials to discuss policy and development issues of interest to the farming community.
•    Attended policy development meetings in Franklin, Knoxville, and Rutledge, TN this year.
•    In November, the women's group is hosting Farm Day at the Ag Pavilion in Rutledge, TN.
4-H Volunteer Leader – 30 years of service, dedicating 60 hours annually
•    Classroom volunteer, meets with clubs once per month.
•    Facilitates meetings and helps student leaders conduct meeting and clubs complete projects to teach the students various life skills.
•    Encourage students to participate, helps them select topics, and carefully explains the rules and their importance.
•    Assists with monthly club service learning projects, such as collecting canned goods for the food pantry, items for Operation Christmas Child, items for the local nursing home, and other outreach activities.
•    Judges school contests and county competitions.
•    Volunteers at Rutledge Middle School and Grainger High School for a program called On My Own, a life/financial management experience designed to teach students how to prepare for real life situations and budget accordingly.
•    Judged the Sup-Regional Speech Contest in Knoxville and Clover Bowl. 

Grainger County Emergency 911 Board – 8 years of service, dedicating 36 hours annually
•    Attend monthly board meetings to review operational expenditures and income, approve budget amendments, and act on any new policies or business requiring board action.

Grainger County Agricultural Extension Advisory Board – 7 years of service, dedicating 25 hours annually
•    Attend quarterly meetings and other meetings as necessary.
•    Serves on sub-committee responsible for interviewing applicants for the position of Extension Agent II, who works with area youth in regard to 4-H and other initiatives.

Tennessee Promise/Achieve Mentor – 6 years of service, dedicating over 100 hours last year
•    Meet with and provide support for 10 high school seniors as they navigate the college process, as well as students from previous years.
•    Assisting students in establishing community service projects that correlate with their educational goals.

Grainger County Cattleman’s Association – 1 year of service, dedicating 30 hours annually
•    Serves on the scholarship committee, designed scholarship application and developed scholarship recipient criteria.

Muscular Dystrophy Association – 10 years of service, dedicating 36 hours in Tennessee and 20 hours in Ohio annually
•    Helps raise awareness and funds for the Greater East Tennessee Muscular Dystrophy Association.
•    Participates in Shamrock Campaign and Muscle Walk, recruiting team volunteers.


Blue Springs Baptist Church – 12 years of service, dedicating 200 hours annually
•    Serves on the Finance Committee.
•    Assists in collecting offerings and making bank deposits.
•    Previously served as College & Careers Sunday School teacher.
•    Serves as Assistant Clerk and chairs the Social Committee.

Grainger United Anti-Drug Coalition – 8 years of service, dedicating 15 hours annually
•    Serves in the office of Secretary.
•    Helped host the movie Appalachian Dawn, a Town Hall meeting, and back to school bash at Grainger High School.
•    Assists families in need by providing drug use/abuse education and available resource information.

“I am honored to be chosen to receive this award.  I enjoy giving back to my community through volunteer work and especially working with our youth,” says Fennell.

A corporate luncheon was recently held to publicly recognize Cochran for his outstanding service achievements.  He was presented with an honorary award and Food City will make a $1,000 contribution (in addition to the district level contribution) on his behalf to the charity of his choice. 

“We’re extremely proud of the difference our associates make by devoting their time and talents to the service of others.  Our company is committed to providing our associates the support they need to become the best corporate citizens possible,” summarized Smith.

Photo courtesy of Tracey Wolfe.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 133 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, Chattanooga and north Georgia.