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Smyrna officials report 27,089 donated food items after holiday parade; Nourish Food Bank details local needs
Summary
Town leaders said parade participants and spectators contributed 27,089 nonperishable items and more than $8,000 in monetary donations during the town's 2024 Christmas parade; Nourish Food Bank described county-wide service levels.
Smyrna officials on Jan. 9 reported that parade-related donation efforts produced 27,089 nonperishable food items for local distribution and $8,150 in monetary donations.
The town presented the totals during the council meeting after thanking participants in the Stewart's Creek High School production team and parade entrants. Town staff said administrative staff alone collected 1,072 items and parade-route collections contributed 7,032 items; the Smyrna Fire Department's separate can drive collected 18,985 items, for the combined total of 27,089 nonperishables for 2024.
The donations were turned over to Nourish Food Bank of Rutherford County. Norman Hanks, representing Nourish, said the nonprofit served about 1,075,000 meals countywide last year and praised Smyrna's support.
"Our goal is always to make sure no one goes hungry," Norman Hanks said. "None of our other cities support us the way that you all do, and we are so proud to be a part of Smyrna's community."
Town leaders thanked volunteers and parade winners and encouraged continued public participation in next year's drive. Officials said the town's food-drive model pairs parade participation with volunteers who collect donations along the route.
The council did not take formal action on the food-drive report; it was presented as a community update.
