JOHN COFFELTEditor

Dot Foods distribution center in Manchester made large food donations to six area food pantries on Thursday, Oct. 10 through the company’s Neighbor to Neighbor program.

The donations amounted to $36,000 worth of food and other essentials to these local organizations. Donations were made to the Community Action Committee in Sewanee, Journey Community Church in Winchester, First Christian Church of Tullahoma, Manchester’s Canvas Food Bank/Community Table, Storehouse Food Pantry and Manchester Good Samaritan.

Canvas Community Church Pastor JT Jordan said the donation would help significantly during a time of need in the community.

“We offer free food for any of the families in need,” Jordan said. “We also offer free clothing… for families that may be struggling. They are able to come in and shop around and get the things they need … the things they need the most.”

General Manager of Dot Foods Manchester Foods Anthony Soto said that the annual event on aspect of the giving spirit of the company.

“The giving spirit was bred into us at the very beginning,” he said. “It’s one of the pillars of our core values. It’s who we are.”

He said DOT Foods seeks to help the community to grow and hopes that the charitable arm of the company will help with that.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.