Each year, Food City recognizes outstanding volunteerism among their dedicated team of associates through 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 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 thirteen district winners, followed by two divisional winners.  

Phillip Drinnon of Morristown, TN and Olga McCoy of Calhoun, GA received this year’s coveted divisional awards.  

Drinnon works as a Meat Cutter for the E Morris Blvd. Food City in Morristown, TN.  He is extremely active within his location community and has extensive service with a number of organizations.  Drinnon is a 10-year volunteer with his local Shriners Club, where he serves over 300 hours annually, transporting children to and from medical appointments and assisting with the annual Shrine Circus, and paper sales.  He is a 5-year volunteer with Scottish Rite, helping with their shoe drive, which provides shoes and socks to needy children throughout the community.  Drinnon is a 7-year volunteer with MATS, providing photography and other assistance for concert fundraisers.  He is a 25-year volunteer with Northside Church, where he serves over 250 hours per year, helping with the church youth group and Vacation Bible School.

“First, I would like to thank Food City for this honor, as well as the man this award was named in honor of – Mr. Claude Varney.  Everything I do is centered around helping children.  The motto of Shriner’s International says ‘A man never stands so tall, as when he stoops to help a child’.  I’m proud to be a Shriner and I love the parades because hearing children’s laughter is how I get repaid.  True volunteerism is done without the thought or desire for recognition,” says Drinnon.

Olga McCoy works as a Salad Bar Helper for the Food City in Calhoun, GA.  She has dedicated the past 11 years serving local women’s ministries, providing spiritual, emotional, and financial support to women in need throughout her community.  McCoy invests more than 500 hours annually and has provided a variety of services, including opening her own home to women fleeing domestic violence.  She offers a safe and supportive environment until they are able to live on their own and helps with food and transportation.  She celebrates the holidays with single mothers in need and provides gifts for them and their children.  She also assists women in obtaining Humanitarian Visas, legal status, and work permits.    

“Thank you for selecting me as one of the Claude Varney winners for our company,” says McCoy.  “I will continue to work tirelessly with organizations supporting single moms and domestic violence victims. I am truly honored to be part of the Food City Family.”

The winners received an honorary plaque and Food City will make a $750 contribution on their behalf to the charity of their 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 138 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.