College students are notorious for sleeping late and skipping breakfast, which leaves them in an energy lull or with a hunger attack mid-class. The vending machines on campus often provide the needed sustenance and energy to make it through class. And keeping all snack machines fully stocked is the job of Art and Debra Propst of Kingsport.
The state has designated the maintenance of snack machines as a program for the visually impaired. So the snack machines at rest stops and in government buildings across the state are stocked and maintained by visually impaired workers.
Propst was diagnosed with a form of macular degeneration called Stargardt’s Disease that has been deteriorating her vision since she was 7-years-old.
After interviewing with the state, she began this line of work 18 years ago with her husband. They have had the ETSU contract for the last three years.
Propst said she had to apply and interview for this job just like any other job. She learned about the state program through a friend she went to high school with in Nashville.
The biggest difficulty she faces is getting around campus because the storage warehouse is located at the back of campus, she said. Because of her vision she had to hire one additional employee to help drive and stock the machines.
Propst orders the snacks from a supplier and has noticed that the week after school starts in the fall is the busiest time of the year for the ETSU snack machines. She also notes the campus has a fondness for animal crackers. What she likes best about this job: “Being my own boss and making my own hours when necessary.

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