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 ten district level winners, followed by two divisional winners and finally the recipient of the highly esteemed Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award. 

After reviewing her exceptional commitment to serving others, it’s not hard to see why Virginia Dawn Hooper of Big Stone Gap, VA was selected as this year’s Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award recipient.  Ms. Hooper  has been employed with Food City for twelve years.  She currently serves as a Pharmacy Technician for the Big Stone Gap Food City.  She volunteers her time and talents to numerous organizations, including Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, where she currently serves as a board member, overseeing their intern program and assisting them with water testing, clean water efforts, computerized tasks, community outreach, health studies, disease awareness, renew housing for college students and the growth of food for donation to Appalachian Food Bank and Farmer’s Market.  Ms. Hooper also works with Appalachia Lions Club, handing out candy and teddy bears to children during their annual Christmas Parade, assisting residents in obtaining eye glasses and purchasing gifts for needy children at Christmas through the Appalachian Elementary School and Norton Social Services programs.  She was named Lion of the Year by the club in 2012 and recognized for her outstanding achievements in 2014.  She is a twelve year donor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a twenty year volunteer with Virginia Special Olympics, donating funds and working with special needs students.

 “I am very honored to have been selected and appreciate Food City for giving me this opportunity.  It was such a pleasure to receive such a prestigious award,” said Ms. Hooper.

A corporate luncheon was recently held to publicly recognize Ms. Hooper 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 operates 105 retail food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.