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The first Saturday of the New Year marked distribution of new backpacks for children returning to school.

Food on Foot used its first food distribution of the year to give away “cinch-sack” backpacks with school supplies for the second half of the school year at its Berkline Drive location.

Since the New Year, Food on Foot Founder/President Carolyn Jarnagin said that she has had students ask about food and school supplies. The backpacks distributed Saturday were loaded with various school items, including notebook paper, pencils, crayons, rulers and other supplies.

“It’s a great thing because since the kids are headed back to school, I’ve had several to call me for food and school supplies,” Jarnagin said. “It’s exciting that Colgate has done this because it has really helped out Food on Foot as far as giving out school supplies.”

After the Christmas holiday food boxes were distributed, donations had dropped off considerably, according to Jarnagin.

“Things really slowed down for everybody, but we try to keep up with everything,” Jarnagin said. “We’re so thankful for what the businesses, churches and individuals do for us. I can’t imagine a Food on Foot without them. It’s the good Lord sending help our way.”

Jarnagin’s efforts do not go unnoticed in the community.

“I have people who stop me and thank us for what we’re doing,” she said. “Not just the people who get the food, but those who have supported us. That just blesses my heart, it really does.”

Food on Foot is not limited to weekly food boxes. Currently the organization distributes 583 food bags every Friday to students in the area schools. Jarnagin said that the teachers tell her that they are seeing an increase in the need for food bags weekly.

After a newspaper article on the Christmas food box distribution was published, Jarnagin received a Christmas card with the newspaper article and a $500 donation enclosed.

To donate to Food on Foot, mail a check to P.O. Box 2129, Morristown, TN 37816. Call 865-566-5778.