Leroy Uptain of the Johnsonville TVA Retirees Association presents a check to Sylvia Newman of the Benton County Ministerial Alliance, which operates a food pantry.
BVI has joined forces with the TVA Retirees Association in a new effort to assist local food banks.
Under this initiative, BVI is supplying funds to the local retiree chapters, who in turn provide the funding to food banks in their area.
To date, more than $50,000 has been provided to food banks through this effort.
“The food banks have been struggling to feed more and more people during this time of the coronavirus. We wanted to help the food banks so they can continue to feed the many people in need,” said Jim Russell, BVI president.
Participating TVARA chapters include Chattanooga, Johnsonville/Cumberland, Muscle Shoals, Northeast Alabama, Western Area, Paradise, Watts Bar, Knoxville, Upper East Tennessee, Gallatin and Browns Ferry.
All TVARA chapters are eligible to participate in the program. “This is an exciting opportunity for our local TVARA chapters to help with an urgent need,” said Vickie Ellis, Valley-wide president of TVARA. “Many food banks are in need of additional funds for their communities.”
To obtain a project-request form, contact Penny Walker at pennywalker06@comcast.net or call her at 1-202-480-5310. The completed form should be returned to Walker.
“We need to move quickly, so submit your request as soon as possible,” Ellis said. Chapters can contact her at vlellis@aol.com or call her at 1-865-805-1512.
