~Story and Photos by Gary Mauldin

It was well before dawn when the first people settled in to wait. Soon, others joined, and the line began to form in the dark and fog on that Saturday morning. It would be hours before the Food Pantry distribution started, but for many during this holiday season, the food was a necessity. Today would be the difference between a holiday meal with family or another day of making do with too little. Missing out was not an option.

Up the hill on the grounds of Tellico Plains High School, activity was also well underway. Compassion Ministries had organized this food distribution. Tables were being erected to form 2 lanes for the cars to pass through. The food was being moved from trucks and vans to tables, some pallets stored directly on the ground. Volunteers took up their stations and began to get organized for the flood of participants to arrive. These events don’t just happen. There is a lot of preparation and work involved.
Workers move pallets of food into place, getting ready for the start.

By this point, the sun was up, and the fog had lifted. The line of cars wound down the hill from the school all the way to Highway 68 and then continued the shoulder of the road to near the junction with Highway 39. “Getting the highway cleared is my first priority right now,” declared Robin Rolland, the organizer of this event for Compassion Ministries.

With the food preparation underway, Robin set her focus on the traffic. Two lanes were formed up the hill to the school. Then, a line of cars was set up to snake around the parking lot to free up more space. Finally, the traffic disruption was minimized.

The ramifications of the traffic jam were significant. This was going to be a big event, and a lot more people were going to be here than planned. “We might have to tell some people that they are welcome to wait, but we can’t promise them any food,” Robin told the volunteers. It was a worrisome situation, but it was what there was to deal with.
The number of cars in line was much more than expected.

Right on time, Pastor Steve led the volunteers in prayer and the food distribution began. There were families piled into vans and mothers there by themselves. There were newborns, only a few days old, and quite a few folks that had lived many, many more years than that. Some that came were healthy. Some were clearly not so fortunate. But they came and they came. Their numbers indicating the level of need in the community.


The smell of grilling hamburgers and hot dogs filled the air as Troy provided a good lunch for the volunteers. And as the cars moved through, the need to warn people that there may be no food left was delayed. Somehow, food was going further than planned. Empty food boxes began to line the drive. Empty pallets, previously stacked head high with food, were moved aside. The volunteers kept loading food, toiletries, diapers, and other essentials into car trunks, pickup beds, and back seats. But at every check, it seemed there would be enough food to make it.

Volunteers from “Save The Babies” distributed over 10,000 diapers to mothers.

After over 3 hours, the line of cars had dwindled. Every single family had been served. The plan for 450 families had been well exceeded. By the end, 550 families had been provided for, enough food for about 2300 people. The food sufficed; the volunteers persevered. It was a day that exceeded all expectations.

Nobody predicted that so many would show, and it is such a true blessing that there was food for everybody that needed it. Robin summarized it, “The miracle of this day is the work and caring of the volunteers, Second Harvest of East Tennessee, Christ Covenant Church, Community Church of Tellico Village, and Church of Grace and Glory. Without the love and dedication of our partners this day would have been impossible. Instead, there are over 2,000 people with nutritious food. God’s hand was here today.”

On Friday, 29 May 2020, Compassion Ministries conducted a mobile food pantry, in partnership with United Health Care at Coker Creek Elementary, located in Monroe County. We worked closely with school administrators, and members of the Community Church Tellico Village. We were also blessed with numerous volunteers from Cornerstone Church and local workers from the Coker Creek community.

We provided food for 220 family units, serving 725 individuals overall. It was another day when the volunteers felt more blessed than possibly even the people we served. With so many restrictions still being observed to fend off the Pandemic, we did this as a drive-through. While our customers get their food, we as volunteers hope this is over soon as we all miss the personal touch of helping people one-on- one. But we do what we must do to fulfill the Lord’s command “...You Feed Them.!” Luke 9:13.

On Saturday, 21 Dec 2019, we conducted a mobile food pantry, in partnership with United Health Care. Our location was an isolated community located in Monroe County. We worked closely with Principle Joey Deputy and Assistant Principle Shan Dalton of the local elementary school, Pastor Harrold Preyer, his wife Fran, and many volunteers of Grace & Glory Church. We were also blessed with numerous volunteers from our church and local workers from the Coker Creek community.

In the end, we received this letter from a Monroe County Juvenile Court caseworker. “I sent one of ‘my’ families to your event. They certainly needed it. They contacted me with tears in their voice of pure gratitude. They could hardly believe what they received and that they were given a shopping cart full. I am passing their joy along to you with my thanks as well.” Signed, Judith Dwyer.

We provided food for 259 family units, serving 867 individuals overall. As is always said, pictures speak more than words, so let’s speak some pictures.

On Saturday, March 2nd, Compassion Ministries partnered with United Health Care to conduct a Mobile Pantry at Coker Creek Elementary School in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. Special thanks to the principal Joey Deputy and assistant principal Shan Dalton, Grace and Glory Church, and all the volunteers. The line of people wanting food started small, but, grew until 209 families representing 584 people were eventually served!

On Saturday, April 14th, TVA and Compassion Ministries joined with Mr. Hooper and his staff to conduct a Mobile Pantry at Tellico Plains Elementary School. What a joy to be with our friends at Tellico Plains again! Special thanks to the volunteers who made it possible as many churchs from the area, Christ Covenant, Grace and Glory, and school staff unified to make this a wonderful time of serving 327 grateful families representing 1093 people.

On Saturday, August 26th, Compassion Ministries joined with Mr. Hooper and his staff to conduct a Mobile Pantry at Tellico Plains Elementary School. What a joy to be with our friends at Tellico Plains again! Special thanks to the volunteers who made it possible as many churchs from the area, Grace and Glory, and school staff unified to make this a wonderful time of serving grateful people.