GROVE CITY – Interchurch Social Services of Knox County (ISS) received the Bill Nance III Award for Agency Innovation on Oct. 13 at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s 11th annual agency celebration.
The award was presented during the morning program at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), where partner agencies from across the region gathered under this year’s theme, “Fill Your Cup.”
The honor recognizes ISS for its collaborative, solutions-focused approach to serving Knox County residents facing food insecurity, and for its readiness to partner with Mid-Ohio on new and expanded programs.
Honoring a legacy of innovation
Kerry McCarthy, MOFC’s director of Programs and Agency Partnerships, explained the award’s origins. Bill Nance III worked at Mid-Ohio for 10 years and was known for being naturally innovative. After his death in 2022, his father, Bill Nance II, wanted to honor his son’s legacy, and the Bill Nance III Award was created.
The award recognizes partner agencies that create solutions to improve a situation, with special emphasis on collaborative approaches. That focus on collaboration is why ISS was selected this year.
Kyle Wonder, MOFC’s agency relations manager, described ISS’s willingness to pursue every new opportunity and to work alongside Mid-Ohio on new and expanded programs. He noted that ISS is consistently forward-thinking about how it can better serve the community.
Under Executive Director Carolyn Fergus, the agency brings a can-do attitude and a positive approach, always looking for ways to make new ideas work. Whether adding programming or expanding and upgrading facilities, ISS continually searches for ways to work with and help others.
‘A collaborative community’
In her acceptance remarks, Fergus emphasized that ISS’s work would not be possible without the support of other agencies and organizations across Knox County. She described Knox County as a deeply collaborative community that is always willing to work together.
“I was honored to accept the award on behalf of ISS,” Fergus said. “It is our staff, volunteers, and a community with a shared vision of how to take care of our neighbors that makes what we do possible.”
She pointed to last fall as an example. When the federal government shutdown put Knox County SNAP recipients at risk of losing their benefits, ISS, Food for the Hungry of Knox County, and Knox County Foundation spearheaded two pop-up food pantries in November 2025.
With bulk food ordered through Mid-Ohio, the effort relied on dozens of community volunteers and partner organizations.
Fergus closed by thanking Mid-Ohio and the people of Knox County for their willingness to work together on behalf of neighbors in need.
A morning to ‘Fill Your Cup’
The “Fill Your Cup” celebration gave partner agencies a morning to step away from daily responsibilities and be recognized for their work.
“In these uncertain times, the one that’s certain is this network of amazing agencies,” said Brad Draper, MOFC’s vice president of Operations – Agency Services.
Ohio Sen. Hearcel F. Craig presented Matt Habash, MOFC president and CEO, with a proclamation honoring his 42 years of leadership. Historian Emily Kirchbaum, PhD, of the National Women’s History Museum, delivered the keynote address.
Interchurch Social Services of Knox County is a Christian faith-based ministry that brings community resources together to serve people in crisis. Guided by the motto “Doing together what we could never do separately,” ISS serves Knox County residents through offices in Mount Vernon, Centerburg, Danville and Fredericktown. Learn more at interchurchknox.org.