MOUNT VERNON — Food for the Hungry surpassed its fundraising goal by more than $40,000 thanks to the generosity of Knox County.
With about a month and a half’s worth of fundraising now in the rearview mirror, the nonprofit has smashed its $340,000 goal by raising $381,997.96 as of Dec. 30.
The second part of the goal, collecting as much food as possible, also has an impressive number attached to it — 23.5 truckloads.
Now in its 44th year, volunteers set up 10 collection points across the county during the initiative’s Drive Day and hosted FFTH Live at the Knox Memorial Theater.
During the FFTH Live broadcast, a record 24 winter grants — totaling $65,000 — were awarded to county projects that provide food assistance. Grant recipients will use their funds for food initiatives that range from food pantries to weekend meal assistance for students.
Local elementary and high school totals
According to a FFTH release, “the Psi Iota Xi sorority’s Elementary School Drive gave Knox County’s youngest a chance to participate in FFTH’s efforts, and they rose to the challenge.”
Elementary schools across the county collected $18,054.23 and 6,633 food items —equivalent to 5.313 truckloads.
Elementary school totals:
- Centerburg Elementary: $1,870 and 450 food items
- Danville Elementary: $270 and 275 food items
- East Knox Elementary: $924.75 and 468 food items
- Fredericktown Elementary: $2,415 and 664 food items
- Columbia Elementary: $1,642.10 and 584 food items
- Dan Emmett Elementary: $245.47 and 837 food items
- East Elementary: $1,185.75 and 727 food items
- Mount Vernon Middle School: $1,661 and 237 food items
- Pleasant Street Elementary: $878.52 and 683 food items
- St. Vincent de Paul: $1,073.93 and 414 food items
- Twin Oak Elementary: $2,886.16 and 765 food items
- Wiggin Street Elementary: $3,001.55 and 529 food items
Additionally, high schools across Knox County showed their support by raising a total of $9,874.48 and 8,781 food items (7.04 truckloads of food), according to the release.
High school totals:
- Centerburg High School: $156.25
- Fredericktown High School: $1,562.57 and 364 food items
- East Knox High School: $928.82
- The Knox County Career Center: $7,226.84 and 2,417 food items
The KCCC basket auction, organized by its students and faculty, took place on Drive Day. The 14 baskets and two individual items brought in an additional $4,064.
Totaling the amount KCCC brought in via different drives across its different labs and the basket auction — the school collected a whopping $11,290.84 and 2,417 food items.
The Snowflake Gala at Kenyon College and Mount Vernon Nazarene’s contributions
Despite a treacherous snowstorm, Knox County’s finest showed up and showed out at the annual Snowflake Gala at Kenyon College’s Lowry Center on Dec. 13.
Through all the gala’s fundraising efforts, the event boosted the total by almost $90,000 ($89,616.57 to be exact). FFTH also awarded local actor and director Bruce Jacklin with the prestigious William A. Stroud Jr. Award for his exemplary community service.
Kenyon College President Julie Kornfeld hosted an annual reception that tacked $500 and 1,000 food items onto the total.
During Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Faith Works Program, the university held many different events that each raised money for FFTH.
MVNU’s Faith Works Program event totals:
- Change Wars: $705.69
- Mario Kart Tournament: $70
- Bring a Buck to Chapel: $779.06
- Advent Service: $69
- Happy Bean Coffee Shop’s FFTH Week: $400
- Esther Jetter Preschool: $880 and 175 food items
- MVNU Athletics’ FFTH Basketball Game: $350
- Snowflake Gala Table Sponsorship: $1,000
- Purchases in the Snowflake Gala Fund-A-Cause Auction: $800
- Faculty/Staff Collections/Presidential Ask: $2,000
- Dr. Carson Castleman’s Presidential Match: $1,000
MVNU’s total: $8,168.74 and 205 food items.
Additionally, MVNU presented Capt. Christine Moretz of Mount Vernon’s Salvation Army with the Stephen W. Zelkowitz Memorial Award during FFTH Live for her commitment to community service in Knox County.
Seventh Annual FFTH Service Club Competition results
This year’s service club competition raised a total of $18,353, with VFW Post #4027 taking first place. VFW Post #4027 brought in $10,000, according to the release.
Other FFTH Service Club Competition results:
- Soroptomist Club of Mount Vernon and Knox County: $6,100
- Moose Lodge #2555 and #100: $900
- Elks Lodge: $500
- Rotary Club of Mount Vernon: $453
- Harrison Grange #1711: $200
- Lions Club: $100
- South Vernon United Methodist Women: $50
- Loyal Women and Men’s Class of Grove Church: $50
Other community organizations’ contributions to FFTH
“Community organizations hosted several events to support Food For The Hungry,” the release said. “The various events catered to unique interests and allowed people to get out and have fun while supporting Food For The Hungry.”
“Many of the events had record collections this year, and each event significantly contributed to the drive goal.”
Various event totals:
- Praisestock: $1,108.28
- The Knox County Jazz Orchestra Concert: $1,104.66 and 157 food items
- WeRunMV’s 15th Annual Turkey Trot: $1,837 and 663 items. 254 runners/walkers and multiple dogs participated.
- Knox County Park District’s “Fire and Ice”: $2,227 and 706 food items
- Elvis’ Lost Brother (Eric Bressi) at Rural King: $502 and 15 food items
- The 2024 Danville Wreath Auction: $250
- The 2024 Centerburg Wreath Auction: $608
Other key donations to this year’s drive
- Ariel Corporation: $10,000
- Kokosing Incorporated: $10,000
- Knox County Foundation: $5,000
- Mortellaro McDonald’s: $2,000
- Starting Over Enterprises INC dba Park Mall: $2,000
- Helen E. Zelkowitz Fund: $1,560
- Danville Elementary School Student Council “Feather Fundraiser”: $1,212
This year’s Food for the Hungry drive runs through Dec. 31. To donate, click here.
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