MOUNT VERNON—The annual Food For The Hungry Drive officially kicked off on Friday morning.
The community-wide effort involves collecting food and raising funds for Interchurch Social Services, The Salvation Army, and other organizations throughout the county with food assistance initiatives.
In its 44th year of helping the community, FFTH has set a financial goal of $340,000 and aims to collect as many nonperishable food items as the community can donate.
Food for the Hungry is a nonprofit organization focused on providing food and financial support to organizations working to reduce hunger in Knox County.
To accomplish this mission, a food and money drive is organized through multiple events and collections, culminating in a one-day simulcast (broadcast online and via radio) on the second Friday of December.
The 2025 drive will take place on Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FFTH distributes the food and funds collected to local agencies that work firsthand with those in need of food in Knox County.
Food insecurity in Knox County
It is no secret that inflation and government cuts to food assistance funding have significantly impacted the lives of countless people. While many people feel the weight of their grocery bills increasing, the number of individuals who cannot afford any food to feed their families or themselves is rising.
According to a 2022 survey, the Knox County Food Council estimated that more than 14,000 individuals in Knox County experience food insecurity. That number has likely grown.
In 2022, Interchurch Social Services of Knox County (ISS) served up to 200 families a month. In 2025, ISS served almost 700 families a month.
The Mid-Ohio Food Collective (formerly known as Mid-Ohio Food Bank) is also feeling pressure. Mid-Ohio Food Collective is a significant source of food for the agencies that FFTH supports. The buying power of $1 at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective has dropped to $4.56: half of what it was several years ago.
Despite the decline in the buying power of $1, FFTH is confident that those less fortunate in this community can continue to count on its generous donors to address food insecurity and to disrupt the poverty cycle in Knox County.
A food pantry can still use $1 to buy $4.56 worth of food from Mid-Ohio Food Collective. That means a couple of dollars could provide dinner for an entire family. Therefore, no effort to support the FFTH mission is too small.
Fundraising events for previous drives ranged from countywide service club competitions to middle school girls selling homemade bracelets. You can make a difference by participating in the 2025 FFTH drive.
The people of Knox County exceeded the drive goal last year, raising $ 342,459.11 and 11 truckloads of food.
Where the money goes
Funds from the 2024 FFTH Drive were allocated for this year’s Summer and Winter grants. In June this year, FFTH awarded $31,250 in grants to 16 different Knox County organizations, prioritizing projects that focused on feeding children who rely on school meals throughout the school year.
Winter Grants enable local food pantries and hot meal providers to provide food to those in need throughout the 2025-26 winter. Grant recipients will be announced on Nov. 20.
In a collaborative effort with Knox County Foundation and ISS, FFTH helped host a pop-up food pantry on Nov. 1. The pop-up pantry served more than 200 Knox County families in need.
As always, the largest portion of the drive goal (68%) and all food collected goes to FFTH community partners: Interchurch Social Services and The Salvation Army in Mount Vernon. FFTH will award the remaining funds in 2026 through both the Summer Grants (8%) and Winter Grants (14%). FFTH reserves a small portion for organizational expenses (10%).
How you can help
Residents can contribute to the 2025 Food For The Hungry goal by donating at local events or community collections that support FFTH. Some upcoming events include:
- Turkey Trot 5K – Thursday, Nov. 27, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. race start.
- Mount Vernon Holiday Parade and Events – Sunday, Nov. 30, 4-7 p.m.
- Knox County Park District’s Fire and Ice – Saturday, Dec. 6.
- FFTH LIVE and Drive Day – Friday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Snowflake Gala, Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m.
For more information on local events and collections, visit www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org.
To celebrate the kick-off, follow FFTH on Facebook and Instagram (@FFTHCares). Get involved by attending events, donating, volunteering, or hosting your own event. If you are hosting an event, fill out the community event form on the FFTH website.
To volunteer with FFTH, call or text Kathy Brechler at (740)-398-2408 or email Director@FoodForTheHungryCares.org.
The 2025 FFTH live broadcast will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, at the Memorial Theater inside the Knox Memorial. This is a Knox County tradition you won’t want to miss.
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