C-N students build Easter baskets for area children

^{Carson-Newman University senior Christian Hissam, a communication major from Oak Ridge, places his completed Easter basket in a donation bin for Food on Foot.}

(March 28, 2019) Jefferson City, Tenn. — During a fun-filled bustle of springtime activities, more than 70 Carson-Newman University student-volunteers assembled Easter baskets for area children in need.

The baskets were then donated to Morristown-based Food on Foot. They included toys, snacks and activity books for young children. Students lined up to assemble the gifts Tuesday during a festive, on-campus Easter event known simply as “The Hunt.” The University’s offices of Community Connections and Residence Life sponsored the event.

“We annually put together ‘The Hunt’ for Food on Foot because they are an amazing organization, and we try to help in any way that we can,” said Stacia Crawley, student director for C-N’s Community Connections. “We like to build lasting relationships with organizations in our community and like to continue helping and being a resource to anyone that we can.”

Food on Foot, a Christian-based nonprofit ministry, will distribute the 75 assembled baskets along with food bags to area families in time for Easter. The project is among many ways the ministry provides for the community, along with shoe drives, regular food distribution and more.

“It’s not what it means to our organization — it’s what it means to the children that don’t have much,” noted Bob Jarnagin, of Food on Foot, as he watched students assemble the baskets. “If they could all see the lighting smile they have when they get (the baskets), it’d make their hearts melt. I wish I could give every one of them a hug and tell them how blessed I am to have them working on this.”

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts university located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The University has over 2,500 students and offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.

^{Carson-Newman University freshmen nursing majors Kendra Hickman, of Abingdon, Va., and Makayla Byrd, of Knoxville, display an Easter basket that is ready for donation to Food on Foot.}