National Philanthropy Day Awards

2024 National Philanthropy Day Honorees

Philanthropist of the Year

Helen E. Davey

Helen E. Davey’s philanthropic philosophy was to help those who were less fortunate and to help institutions who emphasized giving back to the youth of the community.

In addition to Second Harvest, Helen supported many other charitable organizations including this region’s Barter Theatre, Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, ETSU and Milligan University’s music and drama productions as well as the YMCA and its youth programs. Her belief in making a lasting legacy led her to bequeath significant gifts to five area non-profit organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.

Her bequest to Second Harvest will help ensure the food bank’s mission continues with this gift to our endowment fund. It is in honor of her giving spirit that we posthumously recognize Helen E. Davey as a member of the Perennial Society of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee and as the 2024 Philanthropist of the Year.

Youth Fundraiser of the Year

Elizabeth Johnson

Seven-year-old Elizabeth Johnson put her compassionate spirit to work by making and selling bracelets to raise funds for Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Response. Despite Elizabeth’s young age, she showed initiative and enthusiasm by organizing her fundraising activity in order to contribute to Second Harvest’s mission of fighting hunger. Elizabeth’s efforts not only raised funds but inspired others in our community to get involved. We are deeply grateful for Elizabeth’s hard work and commitment, and we look forward to seeing all the wonderful things she will continue to achieve.

Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year
Hats & Hearts for Hunger of Greeneville & Greene County

Since 2015 the Kentucky Derby Day on Main event has been held to raise funds for Second Harvest’s Food For Kids Backpack Program and the Summer Food Service Children’s Program in Greeneville and Greene County.

Held every year at General Morgan Inn, Derby Day was initially sponsored by the Laughlin Hospital Foundation followed by the Ballad Health Foundation. After a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic – it returned in 2023 sponsored by Second Harvest. This year, inspired by Derby Day’s founding leader Betty Weemes and with strong support by General Morgan Inn – a group of caring Greeneville and Greene County residents took full responsibility for continuing this loved event. They successfully reinvigorated Derby Day on Main and even sponsored a fall fundraiser for disaster relief to continue their commitment to the children of Greeneville and Green County.

Volunteer of the Year
Mark Mitchell

From the moment Mark came to volunteer in the warehouse he has been loyal and dedicated to helping neighbors experiencing hunger and food insecurity. The warehouse staff trust and rely on him and he is often called upon to take a leadership role with other volunteers. His selfless nature makes him a true asset to the food bank. While the Volunteer Coordinator was on extended medical leave earlier this year, Mark was entrusted to cover this responsibility and especially for this reason he is receiving this award for the second consecutive year.

Volunteer Couple of the Year
Judy and Garry Roberts

Garry and Judy are dedicated and integral members of what the Volunteer Coordinator calls his “Volunteer Corp”. They are always ready to lend a hand on any shift on any day of the week. While primarily volunteering in the food bank warehouse they have also volunteered at several food drive locations and have assisted on monthly Saturday volunteer workdays. Their leadership and attention to detail make them invaluable. They are both patient and willing to teach other volunteers how to complete many of the tasks required in the volunteer workroom.

Volunteer Group of the Year
Brother’s Keeper

Brother’s Keepers is an educational and enrichment program in Johnson City designed to educate adults with intellectual disabilities to empower them to engage with the community. This group of young adults is a true delight to watch and visit with as they volunteer. From the moment they enter The Good Steward Volunteer Center to the time they leave they are smiling and bringing joy to everyone they meet. Their work ethic is amazing and they are a blessing to have as volunteers.

Volunteer Longevity Award
Barbara Furches

Barbara has volunteered at the food bank for the past 15 years displaying selflessness and loyalty. Second Harvest’s Volunteer Coordinator credits her with helping to train him when he joined the staff including how to sort food drives and even how to use the pallet jack. Barbara comes in every week with a smile on her face and a positive disposition no matter the task. She has stayed with the food bank during its huge growth over the past fifteen years and remains an integral member of the “Volunteer Corp”.

Partner Agency of the Year
TLC Community Center

For twenty-two years TLC Community Center in Elizabethton has been faithfully feeding the children of Carter County each summer by inspiring and harnessing the power of this community to procure, prepare, and deliver meals all over Carter County while children are out of school. The TLC Community Center also played a critical role in disaster relief and recovery this year, quickly becoming a hub for donations of water, food, clothing and other supplies needed in distributions after Hurricane Helene.

Food Donor of the Year
Sam’s Club- Johnson City, TN

Since the inception of Second Harvest’s MealConnect program which partners with restaurants and businesses, Sam’s Club has consistently ranked among the top four retail donors in total pounds donated, showcasing their dedication to supporting the food bank’s mission. Their steady supply of food has allowed Second Harvest to distribute resources through five partner agencies six days a week. Sam’s Club has also gone above and beyond by collecting specific items for the Senior Home Delivery Program by addressing the unique nutritional needs of this vulnerable population. During recent disaster relief efforts, they maintained their impressive level of donations by providing a continuous and reliable food supply to the agencies serving impacted communities. Theirs is an unwavering commitment and leadership in the fight against hunger.

Disaster Relief Partners of the Year
Amanda and Brian Delp

As our region was reeling from the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought – individuals, churches, organizations, businesses, government offices and more stepped up to help meet the needs in our Northeast Tennessee community. Amanda and Brian became pillars of strength and compassion in Helene’s aftermath. Their tireless efforts as leaders of the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center provided critical support and comfort to countless individuals affected by the hurricane. Brian offered extensive experience in volunteer management and more while Amanda demonstrated resilience in logistics management, coordinating search and rescue operations in a centralized area and much more as the Relief Center’s Director. Together they exemplify the spirit of service and community.

Foundation of the Year
Mooneyhan Family Foundation

For twenty years the Mooneyhan Family Foundation has annually and faithfully supported Second Harvest’s Food for Kids Backpack program in the Johnson City and Washington County school systems. Every child needs nutritious food to thrive, and the Foundation’s commitment to the health and well-being of children is evident as it has helped ensure the Second Harvest Food for Kids Backpack Program continues to provide healthy snacks and easily prepared meal items for children to take home every other week during the school year. During COVID-19 the Foundation also went above and beyond to provide much-needed support for pandemic hunger relief due to the increased need for food.

Corporation of the Year
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee 

Whether volunteering in the warehouse or hosting food drives or generously supporting anything from general operating expenses to our various Children’s programs to COVID-19 relief to the Mobile Food Pantry to the Senior Grocery Program to this year’s Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief you name any one of these opportunities to help feed neighbors experiencing hunger and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is there. As a strong advocate for the food bank’s Senior Hunger Relief programs BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee helps ensure that about 700 seniors across our service region have easy access to the food they need to support their health. Along with BlueCare Plus and its Community Trust Foundation – BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has remained as a strong partner in offering hunger solutions for those in need for over fifteen years.

Corporate Foundation of the Year
Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation

For nineteen years the Foundation has shown compassion for Northeast Tennessee neighbors through its commitment to the mission of Second Harvest. The Foundation’s unwavering support and generous contributions have made a significant impact in the fight to end hunger in our eight-county service region. Over these years the Foundation, supported by the Food Lion corporation and its parent company Ahold Delhaize, has been a part of every major program, direct service and special event of the food bank including food drives, round up at the register customer campaigns and other multiple cause marketing events. This dedication most recently led to supporting Second Harvest’s building expansion campaign with the creation of the Food Lion Feeds Community Kitchen providing a health department certified facility to process, repack, and produce healthy meals as well as offer a site for nutrition education and culinary job training.