ABOUT
CARING WITH A PURPOSE
The Empty Stocking Fund (ESF) brings joy to the lives of disadvantaged children by providing toys and gifts during the holiday season and other core essential supplies throughout the year to support positive social and emotional development and academic success.
Through relationships with wholesale distributors and in-kind donations from trusted corporations, the Empty Stocking Fund acquires brand new items in sufficient quantities to offer a variety of age- and gender-appropriate holiday gift choices and core school supplies.
In December, we invite parents and guardians of children(birth to 12 years old) that qualify for benefits through the state of Georgia to shop for gifts for their children.
During the back-to-school season, we provide school supplies to teachers and students of local Title 1 schools; schools with 80% or more of their students receiving free or reduced meals.
The Empty Stocking Fund only has four full-time employees. Without the generous support of our corporate sponsors, individual donors, and volunteers, none of this would be possible. There are several ways to support the Empty Stocking Fund’s fundraising efforts and all donations are tax-deductible.
GIVING SINCE 1927
STAFF
Along with the generous support of our donors and volunteers, The Empty Stocking Fund functions smoothly thanks to the hard, unfailing work of our team members who are passionate about helping children in our community.
Manda Hunt
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Manda has nearly 20 years of marketing communications and public relations experience from companies like Jackson Spalding, MagnetBank, and even her own PR company. She began working with The Empty Stocking Fund in 2004, and in 2010, she took over as executive director. Each year, Manda fearlessly leads The Empty Stocking Fund toward success, from budgeting and financial reporting to toy and gift sourcing to volunteer coordination and fundraising. Originally from the Tampa Bay area, Manda has lived in Atlanta since 2000 and is an avid (and admittedly obnoxious) Florida State Seminoles fan.
Edwin “Coach” Cook
Joshua Jackson
WAREHOUSE & INVENTORY MANAGER
Josh joined The Empty Stocking Fund team in the spring of 2021.
Brenda James
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Brenda retired in 2001 from BellSouth with 32 years of service. She worked in various jobs during her tenure with BellSouth, including administrative and accounting positions. She has given back to the community through 25+ years of volunteer service with BellSouth and 10 years with Gwinnett Medical Hospital. Brenda joined The Empty Stocking Fund in 2005 as a seasonal employee and is an integral part of the ESF team. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren!!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Empty Stocking Fund is governed by an independent board of directors comprised of community and business leaders representing Atlanta’s most prominent and highly respected organizations.
Directors serve as the guardians and stewards of the organization, ensuring our mission is carried out as articulated in our Articles of Incorporation and that all financial activities are legal and proper according to federal and state requirements. They set the course for the organization from year to year by establishing broadly stated goals and objectives, supporting the organization’s fundraising activities, and enhancing our public image.
Officers
Jennifer Cowart, Chairman
Senior Labor & Employment Counsel Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Sandeep Kharidhi, Vice Chairman
General Manager, Data and Analytics Platforms Deluxe
Joseph Manusakis, Treasurer
Partner – KPMG, LLP
Beth Little, Secretary
Director PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Directors
W. Benjamin Barkley
Corporate Partner – Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP
David Bell
Regional Sales Manager, Treasury Management – Wells Fargo
Sarah Blackmon
Director, Supplier Quality and Safety – Chick-fil-A
Barry Boniface
Partner – MSouth Equity Partners
Karin Bursa
Founder & CEO – NIRAKIO
Stephanie Crawford
Manager, Asset Protection – The Home Depot
Nate Cunningham
Owner/Consultant – Cunningham Consulting Services, LLC
Justin Elanjian
Partner – Aprio
Bill Falconer
Founder & CEO – Live Oak Caregivers
Alvin Glymph
Director of Grants and Partnerships – DeKalb County Schools
Michael Hollingsworth
Managing Partner, Atlanta – Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough LLP
Kristine Jordan
Executive Director – Jabian Consulting
Brian Nealon
Director, IT Audit & Compliance – Genuine Parts Company
Beth Paschetto
VP, Business Delivery, CRS Products – InterContinental Hotels Group
James Stevens
Corporate & Banking Partner – Troutman Sanders
C. J. Stewart
Co-founder – L. E. A. D.
Steve Stone
Senior Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer – North America – Accenture
Bala Sundaramoorthy
Vice President and General Manager – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bill Vogel
President and CEO – Montag & Caldwell
Faith Walker
Residential Customer Service Manager – Georgia Power/Southern Company
ADVISORY BOARD
The Empty Stocking Fund is counseled by an advisory board comprised of community and business leaders representing Atlanta’s most prominent and highly respected organizations.
Darryl Lesure
Manager, Supply Chain – Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Dennis Lockhart
Monica Kaufman Pearson
Kevin Riley
Editor-in-Chief – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rachel Sprecher
Executive Director, Office of Partnerships and Development – Atlanta Public Schools
Will Williams
National Managing Partner, Tax – KPMG, LLP