MOUNT VERNON — The 37th annual Food For the Hungry Drive officially began Nov. 1 throughout Knox County as a community effort to raise food and funds for Interchurch Social Services, The Salvation Army, and other groups that support food initiatives. The financial goal set for this campaign is $220,000, with FFTH hoping to collect as much canned or boxed food as the community can donate.

“We experienced a banner year in 2017, raising over $341,000 and 21 truckloads of food. This was well over our $200,000 goal,” said Samantha Scoles, president of FFTH board of directors. “Knox County continues to be a generous neighbor to those in need, and we are blessed to be able to support the missions of Interchurch, The Salvation Army, and other groups supplying food with our grant program. Again, we ask that you continue the support as families struggle with hardships and work toward a better financial footing.”

Food For The Hungry was started in 1982 by the late Charlie Kilkenny of WMVO Radio, who wanted to help local families in need during the holiday season. With the help of station owner Stephen Zelkowitz the next year, Food For the Hungry’s vision and purpose expanded to collect enough food and funds during the drive to help people in need throughout the entire year. With the addition of several supporting community partners in 1995 and again in 2012, Food For the Hungry has not only grown but continued Kilkenny’s vision.  

Funds from 2017 were distributed to ISS, The Salvation Army and through two separate grant offerings. In addition, FFTH provided funds to ISS to purchase freezers for three branch offices and tires for the truck used to pick up and distribute food from the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

The need continues as Interchuch served 4,247 families through its food pantry in the first eight months of 2018. The Salvation Army filled nearly 2,000 food pantry requests through September. In addition, both agencies provide assistance for rent, transportation and other financial assistance.

The mission of Food For the Hungry is to help Interchurch Social Services, The Salvation Army and other food assistance organizations stock their shelves and give financial assistance to support Knox County’s citizens in need. The annual drive is made possible through the support of six legacy corporate partners (Mount Vernon News, WMVO/WQIO, Spectrum Cable, WNZR Radio, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and WRP CPAs), eight event partners (KnoxPages.com, Kenyon College, Psi Iota Xi, Kokosing River Productions, the Knox County Career Center, Delta Kappa Gamma, First-Knox National Bank, and Central Ohio Technical College), and thousands of Knox County residents, businesses and organizations who volunteer their time and donate food and funds.

“Food For The Hungry truly brings out the best in our community, from the young, to the elderly,” said Drive Coordinator Lisa Mazzari. “It is such an honor to have the opportunity to meet and speak with so many people who want to help in some way. That help makes it possible for those on the front lines to be able to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors every day of the year, not just in the holiday season.”

FFTH is 100 percent local, and all donations are tax-deductible.

“We are blessed to live in such a wonderful community,” said Mazzari. “It warms my heart to see the passion our youth have for this mission; it gives me hope for the future. They embrace the calling to serve our fellow man. Please join us in this effort — make a difference, no gift or talent is too small.”

Throughout the next six weeks, KnoxPages.com, the Mount Vernon News, WNZR 90.9 FM, Oldies 100.9 13WMVO, and Super Q 93.7 WQIO will provide information and articles about the needs, announcements and notices about upcoming Food For the Hungry events. Information about the drive and the many community activities that support it can also be found on the event website, www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org, on the event Facebook page, www.facebook.com/foodforthehungryknoxcounty, and on Twitter www.twitter.com/ffthcares. To view the livestream on Dec. 8, visit www.mvnu.tv. The broadcast can also be heard live on 1300 WMVO and 100.9 FM.

Individuals, groups, service organizations or businesses that would like to donate time, money or services are encouraged to call Mazzari at 740-481-2444 or email Lisam.ffth@gmail.com.