To the editor:
We are so humbled by the compassion of our community! The strength of our community is due in part to the generosity and consideration we show each other.
We should be having the third annual Brown County Touch-A-Truck event this weekend, but like many other events, it has been cancelled. As this is the primary fundraiser for the Brown County Weekend Backpacks, we had to take a leap of faith to abandon the event.
The Weekend Backpacks is an all-volunteer program that serves more than 150 children weekly during the school year and we packed more than 31,000 pounds of food in the last school year. Typically, half of the food we distribute is donated by local churches. Since they have not been allowed to meet for months, food donations are down significantly. The remaining food is purchased in bulk through Aldi’s and Sam’s Club, but food quantity restrictions and shortages make that a challenge. Even though school was not in session, we worked extra hard to make sure children in food insecure households still had food for the weekend.
But without the Touch-A-Truck event sponsor donations, we would need to hold another fundraiser to ensure we had the funds necessary to continue providing food to our children. We reached out to each of the sponsors and offered to refund their money, and one by one every single sponsor told us to keep the funds. Wow! We are so very thankful for their generosity and understanding.
A special thank-you to our presenting sponsors, Duke Energy and SCI REMC, who graciously made a combined donation of $5,000 for the event. In addition, we would like to thank our platinum sponsors, Brown-Meadows Properties, People’s State Bank and Kelley Rentals; our gold sponsor, PNC Bank; our silver sponsors, Centra Credit Union and RE/MAX Team; and our bronze sponsors, Brown County Abstract, Michael Chamblee Architects, Hobnob Corner, Keyed IN Property Mgt. and Pitbull Leather.
Plus, Deborah Herring from the Brown County Inn donated 300 cans of tomato and chicken noodle soup to help with this summer’s food bags. And finally, a big thank-you to Pastor Mary and Nashville United Methodist Church who provide a wonderful space for us to store our food and pack the bags. You are awesome!
The support of our volunteers, truck guides, food donors and our sponsors are an inspiration for us all. Brown County is truly blessed.
Debbie Kelley and Teresa Brown, Brown County Touch-A-Truck event organizers (submitted by Kelley)
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