In 2007, Carolyn Jarnigan asked a question that would forever change her life, and the lives of so many people in her community. During a visit to her family doctor, Carolyn asked a little boy in the waiting room if he was excited for the upcoming summer holiday from school. His response identified a desperate situation in Morristown, Tennessee; a need so great that Carolyn could not ignore what was right in front of her. Seventeen years later, Carolyn has rallied hundreds of dedicated volunteers and generous donors around her passionate pursuit to end food insecurity in her community. 

“No ma’am,” was the young boy’s reply. Carolyn admits she got a little excited at first, because she thought that meant he really liked school. But her heart sunk when he elaborated.  

“I like going to school because they feed me good,” said the boy of only six or seven years of age. 

The response was proof that childhood hunger wasn’t a problem in a big city far away, it was happening in Carolyn’s own backyard, to children just like the little boy sitting next her in the doctor’s office. She went on to ask him what he does for food on weekends, when he’s not in school.  

“Sometimes my mom and I have food, and sometimes we don’t,” he replied. “Sometimes we go to see our friends and hope they will invite us to eat.” 

Carolyn went home and immediately told her husband about the conversation. She had already hatched a plan and intended to use some of their personal savings to assemble food bags for children and families in need. That weekend, Carolyn prepared and distributed 40 food bags, which led her to founding the Tennessee Food on Foot Foundation, Inc. Her work has continued to grow ever since. 

Today, through generous donations from the public, organizations, businesses and churches, Food on Foot distributes 5000 food bags monthly to schools in seven counties with enough food to get a child in need through the weekend. They also serve weekly meals to approximately 90-125 children, from infants all the up to high school and college-aged youth. Food on Foot receives no government grants, pays no administrative salaries, and is operated entirely by volunteers. 

“This is a labor of love. And it is a blessing just knowing that our work is making a difference,” said Carolyn of her efforts and those of the 200+ volunteers that make the work possible. “I can’t take credit for all the food that goes out, everything is donated. I don’t have to put my own money in anymore.” 

But that was not the case until a recent donation from Rich Products made a long-time wish of Carolyn’s come true. Rich’s has partnered with Food on Foot for many years, donating surplus food whenever possible to help meet the need in the greater Morristown community. But when Tammy Corbin, operations assistant at Rich’s manufacturing facility in Morristown, Tennessee, learned that Food on Foot staff were putting their own money forward to buy and bake cakes for children, she knew Rich’s could help. 

“When Carolyn told me that children often tell the Food on Foot volunteers that it is their birthday, and that they have never had a birthday cake of their own, I saw a really simple way to make a big impact in the lives of these kids,” said Tammy, a 28-year veteran at Rich’s. “We make thousands of cakes every day without even thinking about where they are going. Now, we take pride in knowing that we’ve made a child feel special on their birthday.”  

In March 2024, the Rich’s Morristown team donated 200 personal-sized, 5” cakes, as well as the icing and sprinkles to decorate the cakes.  

“We had a team of four volunteers come in and decorate all the cakes,” said Carolyn. “Then we froze them and have them ready for whenever we have a birthday to celebrate.”  

And Food on Foot has done a whole lot of celebrating since receiving the donation. In that time, each child has registered their birth date, and a sign is posted weekly to announce the birthdays being celebrated and those children receive their personalized cake. 

“All I had to do was mention to Rich’s that there was a need,” recalled Carolyn. “I never dreamed that they would give us such a generous supply of cakes, icing, and sprinkles.”  

The sweet treat, which is often the first birthday cake ever gifted to these children, goes a long way toward Carolyn’s mission of making those in need feel welcome, wanted and cared for. 

“We’re in the celebration business,” remarked Tammy. “Families all over the world gather around our delicious products to commemorate special moments, so it seems fitting to help create a memorable birthday experience for children right here in our community, ones that may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasure of a birthday cake made just for them.”

Rich’s donation coincided with Founder’s Day, an annual event in tribute to the late Robert E. Rich, our founder and the entrepreneur behind Rich’s Whip ToppingÒ, the non-dairy whipped topping that revolutionized the frozen food industry. Nearly 80 years later, Rich’s associates honor the great leader and innovator by modelling the values he instilled in our corporate culture, which are centered around treating associates, customers and the community like family.   

Tammy, who champions community events for Rich’s Morristown facilities, said there is always more the company can do, and she is constantly looking for ways to give back to the community. Throughout the pandemic, Rich’s delivered brownies and cookies to hospital staff. And since then, the program has expanded to include first responders and schoolteachers. 

“We will continue to replenish the birthday cakes as needed,” committed Tammy, who went on to say that Morristown plant manager, Scott Kington, is always on board to support the programs she brings forward.  

As a global food company, Rich’s is committed to nourishing our neighbors, but that emphasis is just one of seven areas of focus that drives worldwide corporate citizenship efforts geared toward creating an inclusive, sustainable future.  The partnership with Food on Foot is a natural extension of Rich’s goal of contributing to and initiating efforts that tackle food insecurity. And while Food of Foot’s work also includes toiletry distribution, a backpack and school supply program, and Christian fellowship, it begins and ends with food. 

“I have a sign on my door that says, ‘Child Hunger Stops Here,’ and I hope and pray that it does,” remarked Carolyn.  

You can learn more about Tennessee Food on Foot Foundation, Inc., at tnfoodonfoot.com, and if you’d like to help, support can be offered through advocacy, donations, sponsorship and volunteerism.