Thank you!

We have closed out our GoFundMe campaign with Battlefield Farm and we are proud to announce that we have raised 1,005 dollars! Thank you so much for following along and helping us reach our goal and support our community. To end our blog, we are each going to tell you about what we learned in our campaign.

Joe: Going into this campaign I did not know how underprivileged people in East Knoxville are, but this campaign opened my eyes to the plight of people in our own community. I could not imagine that people only 15 minutes away from our campus don’t have access to fresh food. While we have helped Battlefield Farm and people in East Knoxville, it is important that the Knoxville community realizes that it is vital that we continue to support people in East Knoxville. 

Macy: When I’m here at school, it’s easy to forget that there’s more to Knoxville than just campus. This campaign has taught me a lot about this city, but even more about the importance of community. I have seen how a dream can come to fruition with the help of others, and how keeping that dream alive is easier with more hands on deck. What Mr.Battle is doing for the area is inspiring to say the least, and it started because of his drive to better his community. Going from the strip to East Knox feels like travelling to a different city, but with continued support for organizations like Battlefield Farms, all of Knoxville could flourish together. By continuing to educate the community on the hardships our neighbors are constantly facing, Battlefield Farms could inspire the masses. So, I’d like to thank Mr.Battle for sharing his mission and his overwhelming love for his community with us this semester. There is strength in numbers.

Jill: Running the GoFundMe campaign for Battlefield Farms taught me how powerful community driven efforts can be. I did not realize at first how many food deserts were in East Knoxville but this campaign showed me how important it is to spread awareness. By raising money for a mobile grocery store, I saw firsthand how sharing a clear story about food insecurity in our town could inspire people to give and get involved. The process showed me that fundraising is less about the dollars and more about building relationships, raising awareness, and creating momentum for change. These are lessons that deepened my appreciation for the resilience of the community and the importance of finding creative ways to bring healthy food closer to those who need it most.

Gracey: Throughout this campaign, I learned that raising money is only one small piece of creating real change. What matters most is reaching people in ways that move them. I expected that spreading the word would be enough, but I quickly realized that awareness and action don’t always go hand in hand. Speaking in front of my sorority and sharing our mission didn’t lead to donations, not because they didn’t care, but because many of them simply weren’t in a financial position to give or didn’t relate to the situation. On the other hand, posting on Facebook connected us to older family members, friends, and community members who understood the need and had the ability to help. It showed me how critical it is to tailor your message to the right audience, and how every demographic responds differently. This campaign taught me that making a meaningful impact requires strategy, empathy, and patience. But also showed me how powerful generosity can be when the right people hear the right story.

Avery: I am so glad I got the opportunity to help run this campaign. I have learned so many things through the process. I have learned how creating change is possible if you do your part. Raising money for the campaign also made me realize that the money is important but not the most important thing. Spreading awareness is the most important thing I have realized through this semester. Even if it's just reaching out, spreading awareness can lead to such positive change. I was amazed when we first started this campaign to see how many people in East Knoxville are affected by food insecurity and I hope that all the awareness we have raised doesn't stop with the end of the campaign. 

Thank you again!