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If you look around Blount County, you might think to yourself that we are a pretty affluent community. In many respects, that is the case, but look a little more closely.

"You think there's no poverty in Blount County?" asked Empty Pantry Fund Chairman Paul Bales. "Just drive 15 minutes from this newspaper. You'll see."

Bales knows. That's why he is so immersed in the Empty Pantry Fund campaign, making sure the hunger pangs are assuaged for 1,424 families this Christmas. With charitable giving down and the need rising, the urgency to raise funds to pay for the 63 tons of food is heavy on his mind.

All Empty Pantry Fund food baskets have been designated to families who called in during the annual clearinghouse in October.

"Every basket has been designated. Now, we're looking for the money to pay for them," Bales said.

Donations to date include:

Balance forward, $45,920

Mr. and Mrs. Don Sherwood, $500

In memory of Lynn Hancox by Richard, $50

Darell Chambers, $10

Marvin and Jimmie Eaves, $100

Anonymous, $10

Grayce E. Goertz, $100

In memory of our little dog, Peanut, by Jim and Jo Downing, $50

Arthur B. Goddard, $150

In loving memory of George T. and Aileene W. Myers, $80

Raymond and Lorean Handley, $100

Harley and Shirley McMillan, $100

In memory of Aunt Janet by Sheila H. Spears, $85

Anonymous, $25

Gerald and Anne Lambert, $100

Marion O. Stokes, $150

Anonymous, $100

In memory of Etta Mae Chambers by Vivian R. Chambers, $50

Juanita C. Murrell, $50

John and Carolyn Pullias, $30

In honor of Don R. and Dot Watson and in memory of Lillian P. Watson by Marcia Fisher, $100

Joyce Cate, $20

Ralph and Joyce Cate, $20

R. Kyler Shaver, $100

Jerry W. and Hiliah M. Corbin, $20

Fred and Lorene Sunderland, $50

Raymond D. Wilson, $50

Kevin and Deborah Dieffenbach, $20

Alan and Karen Smuckler, $100

Tom and Sandy Tipton, $200

In loving memory of Jane Clark, $25

Claude and Dorothy Walters, $50

Henry D. and Shirley M. Law, $100

In memory of Bertha and Bee Bivens Sr. and Walter B. Bivens Jr. by Frances L. Bivens, $300

Mary Elizabeth Jackson, $100

In memory of Vanessa Williams by Edward and Wannell Williams, $50

In memory of A.C. and Martha Sue Bean by Fred and Sharon Evans and family, $100

In memory of our loved ones by the Douglas E. Tallent Family, $100

In memory of Wilber C. Walker and Theodore Gourley by Violet Walker, $20

Bonnie Boling, $25

Anonymous, $50

Marie Cupp, $10

Inez and Philip Hash, $25

Memorial to Mae by W. Earle Kolbe, $100

TOTAL -- THANK YOU, $49,495