Earlier today, Food City and the Eastman Foundation presented checks totaling $2,131,703.37 to the United Ways of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee to aid area flood victims. 

“Our friends and neighbors across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee have suffered catastrophic losses from the flooding that devastated our community several weeks ago. We want to ensure they receive the resources and support they need,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

In the wake of the devastation caused by the recent flooding, Food City teamed up with the Eastman Foundation, the United Ways of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, WCYB-TV, News Channel 11, ABC Tri-Cities, Fox Tri-Cities and Bristol Broadcasting Co., which includes WXBQ, WAEZ, WEXX, and SuperTalk radio to host a fundraising campaign to benefit flood relief efforts spanning from Cocke County, TN to Grayson County, VA and all affected localities in between. 

“The way our communities have come together to support those impacted by this unprecedented flooding is remarkable–but not one bit surprising,” said Paula Bulcao, Eastman Foundation executive director. “When our region is at its best, it is when that bias to care for our neighbors is prioritized. That bias leads us to show up as our best selves and achieve amazing things for our communities. We’ve seen so many individuals, businesses, churches and community organizations go above and beyond to meet immediate needs and start planning for long-term recovery efforts. We all know that this recovery will take years, and we remain committed to doing all we can to support our neighboring communities as we move forward as a collective region.” 

Food City and the Eastman Foundation pledged $100,000 each, for a total of $200,000 to kick off the fundraising drive. The 12-day in-store initiative raised $833,023.37. Food City also received $1,098,680.00 in contributions from their vendor partners and individuals across the Tri-Cities region and beyond, including a $1 million dollar donation from Phoenix Medical Products, Inc. of Mountain City, TN, a $50,000 contribution from the NASCAR Foundation, and a $10,000 gift from the Jack & Judy Smith Foundation - making this the largest fund-raising campaign in the supermarket retailer’s history, at an astounding grand total of $2,131,703.37.  100% of the funds collected will benefit the United Ways of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia disaster relief funds. 

“We would like to thank our loyal customers, dedicated team of associates, vendor partners, and other companies and individuals from across our region and beyond for their generosity and the tremendous outpouring of support they have shown for our friends and neighbors in need.  We are so blessed to be a part of such a caring and compassionate community,” said Smith. “We would also like to express our deepest appreciation to Phoenix Medical Products, Inc. for their extraordinary donation of $1 million in support of this critical initiative, as well as our friends from the Eastman Foundation, NASCAR Foundation, WCYB-TV, News Channel 11, ABC Tri-Cities, Fox Tri-Cities, and Bristol Broadcasting Co. Family of stations for their partnership and support.”

The campaign ran from October 1st through October 12th in all Food City locations. Customers wishing to participate were given the opportunity to make a monetary donation at the checkout.

"We are incredibly thankful to Food City, the Eastman Foundation, and community donors, for responding to the call for support for our neighbors who have experienced unimaginable loss throughout Southwest Virginia as a result of Hurricane Helene,” said Megan Parks, executive director for United Way of Southwest Virginia. “These funds will allow United Way of Southwest Virginia to help families repair and rebuild their homes from the flooding over the next 24-38 months of long-term recovery." 

Pictured (left to right):

Danelle Glasscock - United Way of Greater Kingsport Executive Director

Lorie Bradley - United Way of Bristol TN/VA Director of Community Outreach

Leslie Dalton - United Way of East TN Highlands President & CEO 

Megan Parks - United Way of SWVA Executive Director 

Steve Smith - Food City President & CEO 

Kristi Bennett - Eastman Foundation Board Member

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 158 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.