FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the local hospitality community have partnered with Franklin-based One Generation Away to send aid to hurricane Harvey victims in Texas. Canned food donations will be collected at over 20 locations around Williamson County from now through the end of October, then delivered to areas of Texas with the greatest need in early November. One Generation Away and its volunteers will provide all of the collected items directly to victims in need by setting up a mobile food pantry.
“Our community learned a lot about relief efforts in 2010 when we went through our historic flood,” said One Generation Away Founder & Director Chris Whitney. “Immediately after the disaster, aid is coming in from around the country, but in the weeks and months that follow life will continue to go on and the need will still be there. That is the need we want to help fulfill. We want our friends in Texas to know that we’ll be here to help and support them for the long haul.”
Hospitality and community partners across Williamson County will serve as donation drop off locations for non-perishable canned food items. Items of greatest need include; peanut butter and jelly, pop-top cans of chicken, tuna, fruits, and vegetables. While cans of all kinds will be accepted, the pop-top variety is the greatest need since many of the victims may still be without conventional ovens and prepare meals in microwaves.
When items are delivered, fresh produce will also be purchased and delivered. Donations towards the purchase of fresh produce may be made online at www.onegenaway.com.
“As a hospitality community our hearts break for our friends in Texas,” said WCCVB President & CEO Ellie Westman Chin. “We want to do what we can to help. We know the recovery process will be long and feel even harder after the initial attention passes. We are lucky to have an incredible, giving community here and such a compassionate organization like One Generation Away we can partner with to lend a helping hand.”
Donation drop off locations include:
Battle 3 on 3 Tournament at Franklin Christian Academy – Sept. 9 only – (818 Old Charlotte Pike East, Franklin)
Boyle Investment Company (5005 Meridian Blvd., Franklin)
Brentwood Library (8109 Concord Road, Brentwood)
Christ Community Church (1215 Hillsboro Road, Franklin)
Franklin Synergy Bank – Berry Farms (40 Moss Lane, Suite 100, Franklin)
Franklin Synergy Bank – Brentwood (134 Pewitt Drive, Brentwood)
Franklin Synergy Bank – Cool Springs (3359 Aspen Grove Drive, Franklin)
Franklin Synergy Bank – Downtown Franklin (772 Columbia Ave, Franklin)
Franklin Synergy Bank – Nolensville (7177 Nolensville Road, Suite A3, Nolensville)
Franklin Synergy Bank – Westhaven (1015 Westhaven Blvd, Franklin)
HandyMan Hardware (731 Columbia Ave., Franklin)
Leiper’s Fork Distillery (3381 Southall Road, Franklin)
Marriott Cool Springs (700 Cool Springs Blvd, Franklin)
Mill Creek Brewing Company (2008 B Johnson Industrial Blvd, Nolensville)
Music City Roots at The Factory at Franklin – located at the information booth – (230 Franklin Road, Franklin)
New Hope Academy (1820 Downs Blvd, Franklin)
TMA Group (708 Columbia Ave, Franklin)
The Movie Gang at The Franklin Theatre – Sept. 7 only – (419 Main Street, Franklin)
Twine Graphics & Screen Printing, LLC – (304 Public Square, Franklin)
Visit Franklin Visitor Center (400 Main Street, Suite 130, Franklin)
Westhaven Resident’s Club – (401 Cheltenham Ave., Franklin)
Williamson, Inc. (5005 Meridian Blvd, Suite 150, Franklin)
Additional drop off locations continue to be added, and a complete list can be found at VisitFranklin.com/blog/HarveyRelief.
ABOUT THE WCCVB The Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) is the official destination marketing organization for Franklin and the unique communities of Williamson County, Tennessee. The WCCVB stimulates economic growth through the promotion of travel and tourism assets such as history, music, attractions, entertainment, the arts, and events to visitors from around the world. For information on Franklin and Williamson County, visit us on the web at VisitFranklin.com.
ABOUT ONE GENERATION AWAY One Generation Away was birthed from the dream that we can eliminate poverty, racism, and denominationalism in our lifetime. We believe that there is a mission field right outside our front door and that we will reach people lovingly through service. OneGen is dedicated to providing emergency food service to those in need via mobile pantries, as well as through partnerships with hospitals, social workers, schools, law enforcement, churches, civic groups, and many others who want to wipe hunger off the face of America. #MyGenIsOneGen marks our commitment to taking ownership of these social issues and working to better our community, together.
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Matt is the guy who is always ready to share a story with you.
With a passion for new experiences, taking the back roads, and seeing everything possible, Matt serves as Visit Franklin's Senior Director of Public Relations connecting the many unique stories in the Franklin community with great journalists and storytellers worldwide. When not pitching a story idea to travel writers, you’ll likely find him working as a photographer on the sidelines of college and professional sports events across the Southeast.