MOUNT VERNON — Local media outlets will join together this weekend for the 36th annual Food For The Hungry (FFTH) drive, to benefit The Salvation Army, Interchurch Social Services and 14 other food and poverty assistance initiatives in Knox County. A live broadcast of all the day’s events begins this Saturday, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m. on 100.9 FM and 13WMVO Radio with live video streaming at MVNU.TV. The broadcast will originate from the Knox County Memorial Building on East High Street.
Local media personalities Marcy Rinehart of WNZR, along with Sara Lynn and Curtis Newland of WMVO/93.7 The Super Q will serve as hosts for the event. Kokosing River Productions, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) Department of Communication, Wayne Bower, J.R. Bonham and Spectrum Cable are donating broadcast production and technical support.
This year’s broadcast, as always, will feature several community members and organizations presenting their contributions to the drive. FFTH will present $20,000 in mini-grants throughout the day. A number of Knox County elementary, middle, and high school student collection winners will also be recognized.
There will be live entertainment from local performers Megan Campbell and Annika Kanuckel-Wolfe of Mount Vernon High School, plus a trio of MVNU student musicians – Lilly Buckley, Richie Johns and Rachel Rinehart.
At noon, the webcast will have short video features on our new Salvation Army officers and MVNU’s Knox Needs Thrift Store. Viewers will also see a tribute to James and Maureen Buchwald, recipients of this year’s William A. Stroud Award for community service from Kenyon College.
The Knox County Career Center auction of themed baskets will begin around 1:05 p.m., with Jerry Scott and John Ruckman serving as auctioneers. Community members are encouraged to join the bidding with plenty of seating inside the Memorial Theater.
At 3:10 p.m., MVNU will present the annual Stephen Zelkowitz Memorial Award, which honors service to the FFTH drive. This year’s recipients are Roy and the late Glenda Waldron, known to many Knox County residents as Bubbles and Banjo. Kenyon College will present the exciting results of this year’s Snowflake Gala at 3:30 p.m.
Radio stations providing updates throughout the day from City Hall include WNZR 90.9 FM and 93.7 The Super Q. Updates will also be provided on the FFTH Facebook page.
Visitors and donors are encouraged to join this year’s celebration of giving by entering the Memorial Building through the central steps leading to Veteran’s Hall. Handicapped access will be available as well by following the signs provided.
For more information about this year’s drive or to donate online, log on to www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org.
