By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com Reporter
MOUNT VERNON — On Thursday, the Knox County Commissioners highlighted the role public awareness plays in fighting hunger by proclaiming September as Hunger Action Month. They also acknowledged the efforts of 20 local organizations that provide meals to Knox County residents.
Joy Harris of Interchurch Social Services accepted the proclamation. Kimberly Asmann and David Thomas of the Main Place, Paul Higgens of Knox County Local Foods and Lisa Mazzari of Food for the Hungry also were present. Mazzari thanked these three organizations and the others that are “on the front line” in the fight against hunger.
The Knox County Commissioners read a resolution on Thursday proclaiming September as Hunger Action Month. Joy Harris of Interchurch Social Services accepted the proclamation on behalf of ISS and other local organizations that are active in the fight to combat hunger. Pictured seated are, from left, Commissioners Teresa Bemiller and Roger Reed; Harris; and Commissioner Thom Collier. Standing are, from left, David Thomas and Kimberly Asmann, The Main Place; Paul Higgins of Knox County Local Foods; and Lisa Mazzari, Food for the Hungry. KP Photo by Cheryl Splain
Higgins spoke briefly about the efforts to glean produce from area farms, which he described as “having the availability to go into farms already harvested and collect the leftovers.” Developed by a Kenyon College student two years ago and coordinated by Sabrina Schirtzinger of OSU Extension Knox County, Higgins said there is still a need for coordinating pick-up of the produce. He told the commissioners about a new group, the Gleaning Club, that is being formed to address this issue. Open to the community, club members will harvest or pick up the produce and take it to a kitchen at The Salvation Army, where it will be washed before distribution to local food pantries. Local farmers who wish to donate produce can call Schirtzinger at 740-397-0401.
Thomas told the commissioners that The Main Place provides between 45 and 50 meals a week at its Mount Vernon center, 117 W. High St. There is also a Licking County site at 112 S. Third St. in Newark. Thomas said the food service workers in the program learn skills that equip them for jobs in the workforce.
Meals are served at noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. “You don’t have to be a client to receive a meal,” he said. “It’s a nice abundance of meals and people who make it happen.”
