News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Shoppers of East Tennessee Food City stores donated more than $381,000 for the Cookeville Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund.
Food City President And CEO Steve Smith made the donation at the Putnam County Emergency Management office Thursday. Food City shoppers in southwest Virginia and northern Georgia also contributed to the six-day campaign by giving money at the check-out stand. Food City started the campaign with a $10,000 donation.
“We wanted to do everything we could possible to provide assistance during this critical time,” Smith said. “Our customers, associates, business partners have always stepped up in time of crisis. But I got to tell you when we saw the amount…we were even speechless.”
Smith said scout groups, school groups, churches and other organizations joined individual customers in contributing to the fund. The company partnered with several local television stations in Knoxville, Tri Cities,
Smith said the citizens who donated went through the Gatlinburg fires as well as tornadoes in southwest Virginia in recent years.
“We know how you feel, but it does get better,” Smith said. “Every day it gets a little bit better.”
Smith said the company looked forward to coming to Cookeville with a location soon. The company’s real estate division appears close to wrapping a deal soon that would allow the store to open next year.
“That gives me a lot of hope to not only do business here in Cookeville and Putnam County, but also see the rebuilding that’s going to go on here in this community,” Smith Said.
