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ABINGDON, Va. – Food City will once again host the annual Johnia Berry Toy Drive. This marks the 19th year the retailer has hosted the memorial drive, which began in 2005.

“Johnia was extremely passionate about helping children and Food City is proud to be part of the annual Johnia Berry Toy Drive, which donates thousands of toys to needy children in our area each year,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

The drive will kick off on November 1 and continue through December 2. Specially marked collection containers will be located at area Food City locations throughout the Tri-Cities. The toys are scheduled to be distributed on December 6, the anniversary of Johnia’s death. Pharoah’s Car Club of Southwest Virginia has graciously volunteered to assist with the toy pick-up and distribution.

The Berry Family have selected a number of local agencies to receive the toys, including Tri-State Children’s Home, Highlands Community Services – IDD Department, Safe Passage Women’s Shelter, Community Help Center of Northeast TN, Cumberland Mountain Community Services of Cedar Bluff, Va., HOPE Center of Greeneville, Tenn., local schools in Virginia and Tennessee and many others.

“We would like to thank our loyal customers and associates for their tremendous generosity and support of the toy drive, as well as our media partner, News Channel 11, WJHL-TV,” adds Smith.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Va., K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 153 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.