TOP PHOTO: CASA of Campbell County held its second annual holiday food drive to benefit Open Arms Ministry Food Bank. This year’s drive filled more than 80 food boxes.

Jean Burrus, left and CASA Executive Director Jan Jones, right, help load donations for Open Arms Ministry Food Bank as part of the CASA annual food drive. 

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – CASA of Campbell County held its second annual holiday food drive for Open Arms Ministry Food Bank, delivering more 80 boxes of food in time for Christmas.

Food pantry volunteers arrived at the CASA office in Jacksboro early Monday morning to load the truck. 

According to CASA Executive Director Jan Jones, this year’s drive more than tripled the amount of boxes donated compared to last year’s 22 boxes. 

Left to right, Open Arms Ministry Volunteer Bayless Phillips, Grant Daugherty with CASA, Jean Burrus with CASA, CASA Executive Director Jan Jones and husband Mark Jones.

Food bank volunteers said it is donations like these that make Christmas brighter for those in need this holiday season. 

Jones said she began the food drive last year as a way for CASA to give back to the community.

“Having a food drive benefit Open Arms Ministry ties back in with my CASA program and helps the community,” Jones said. 

The food drive began in mid November, with multiple local businesses, churches and organizations volunteering to set up food donation boxes at their locations. 

As Jones began going around to these locations, she got “the most wonderful surprise” when she saw how many boxes had been filled.

Open Arms Ministry volunteer Bayless Phillips,  left and Grant Daugherty, with CASA pause after helping load the truck with food donations Monday morning.

“The support this year has been overwhelming, and I want to thank everyone who has had a hand in helping with this drive,” Jones said.

According to Jones, she hopes for the annual CASA food drive to grow each year. 

“We are so very thankful for Campbell County businesses, individuals and all who participated. We are thrilled with the amount of food donated,” Jones said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/20/2022-6AM)

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