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 Emily Thurston was selected as this year’s Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award recipient.  Thurston serves as Pharmacy Manager for the Bluefield, VA Food City, where she has been employed for nearly 20 years.  She volunteers a tremendous amount of time to numerous organizations throughout her community: 

Tazewell High School Food Pantry – assists with donations, counsels high school students, plans and chaperones special events. 

Tazewell County Fair Association – attends meetings, assists with event planning and community involvement projects and event booth set-up.

Fallen Rock Riding Academy – provides transportation for riders to and from events, donates food for shows, assists with registrations, practices and tack, provides escort vehicles for parades and chaperones overnight and weekend trail rides.

4-H Tazewell County Extension – helps organize and assist with meetings, practices, competitions and fundraisers, chaperones day trips and 2-5 day overnight trips, helps plan, organize and chaperone annual St. Jude’s fundraiser trail ride.

Heritage Hall Nursing Home – helps coordinate the Foster Grandchildren program at several local nursing homes, providing visitation, cards, stuffed animals and tasty treats from area elementary, middle and high school students to show patients they are loved and needed.

Bluefield Dance Theatre – works backstage, helps promote area productions and multiple state shows to raise public awareness of the benefits the arts provide to children, chaperones and assists with recitals, competitions and community street performances and provides transportation for fundraisers and performances.

Tazewell High School Marching Band – serves as the medical chaperone for band trips, organizes meals for the marching band, chaperones bus trips to games and competitions and assists with organizing fundraisers, program ads and band camps.     

Lillies of the Field – helps organize free clothing and household item drives and works with Clinch Valley Community Action to ensure the items are distributed in a loving and respectful manner to those in need throughout the community.

Tazewell Food Pantry – picks up donations and organizes holiday distributions to help provide food on a weekly basis for those in need.

Thompson Valley Church of Christ – serves as a teacher for Vacation Bible School and assists with food preparation, set-up, decorating and cleanup, helps with youth activities, trips and holiday plays.

“I am very blessed and fortunate to work for a company who recognizes my compassion in helping others.  With tear filled eyes and overwhelming graciousness, Thank You Food City!!” said Thurston.

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

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 131 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, Chattanooga and north Georgia.