2025 Food For The Hungry Drive exceeds $340,000 goal

The 44th anniversary of the Food For The Hungry Drive brought Knox County residents, businesses, schools, and organizations together to help fight food insecurity. With a goal to raise $340,000 and as much food as possible, the total as of Dec. 22, is $360,400.22 and 23.5 truckloads of food.

The drive supports food assistance projects and provides emergency client services through Interchurch Social Services, The Salvation Army, and other food assistance organizations of Knox County. 

Volunteers staffed 10 collection points around the county on Dec. 12 to collect food and money, while local media combined to produce Food For The Hungry Live, an eight-hour web and radio simulcast.

During FFTH Live, a record of 24 Winter Grants totaling $65,000 were presented to county projects involving food assistance. The recipients will use their grants for food initiatives that range from food pantries to weekend meal assistance for students.

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 a total of $18,054.23 and 6,633 food items - that’s 5.313 truckloads of food.

Wiggin Street Elementary was the top school, collecting $3,001.55 and 529 food items. Twin Oak Elementary ($2,886.16 and 765 food items) and Centerburg Elementary ($1,870 and 450 food items) also collected a large amount.

The Knox County High School collection was a huge success. Local high schools collected a total of $9,874.48 and 8,781 food items. That is 7.04 trucks. The Knox County Career Center brought in $7,226.84 and 2,417 food items.

The top class in the top three schools will receive a pizza party from the Mount Vernon Rotary Club and Food For The Hungry.

KCCC students and staff also contributed to and organized the KCCC Basket Auction. Each basket was filled with items and certificates donated by local organizations, individuals, and KCCC school labs. The 2025 Online Silent Auction of themed gift baskets brought in a total of $4,064. This auction included 14 themed baskets and two individual items. The OSU basket filled with goodies for Buckeye fans was donated by the OSU Alumni Club of Knox County.

The overall total raised from the Knox County Career Center – student collections plus the online auction was $11,290.84 and 2,417 food items.

The FFTH Snowflake Gala hosted at Kenyon College continues to be a significant contributor to FFTH. Despite the snow, the Snowflake Gala took place on Dec. 13. The gala fundraising totaled $89,616.57. Gala committee members presented this year's William A. Stroud Jr. Award for Community Service to Bruce Jacklin. The gala was themed Old Hollywood as a tribute to Jacklin’s significant contribution to local theater. 

The Kenyon College President’s annual holiday reception collected $500 and 1,000 food items. 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University hosted several collection events through the Faith Works Program to create hunger awareness and support FFTH. MVNU brought in $8,168.74 and 205 food items from events such as Change Wars, a Marion Kart Tournament, a basketball game and Bring a Buck to Chapel.

MVNU presented the Stephen W. Zelkowitz Memorial Award to Captain Christine Moretz of the Salvation Army of MV. This annual honor goes to a citizen of Knox County who exemplifies the spirit of community service, with a particular focus on their outstanding contributions to Food For The Hungry.

The Seventh Annual Food For The Hungry Service Club Competition was a huge success, with a total of $18,353 raised. Congratulations to the VFW Post #4027 for being the top club in the challenge. They collected $10,000 and were featured on FFTH Live. Several service clubs that participated in the challenge: Soroptomist Club of Mount Vernon and Knox County; Moose Lodge #2555 and #100; Elks Lodge; Rotary Club of Mount Vernon; Harrison Grange #1711; Lions Club; South Vernon United Methodist Women; and Loyal Women and Men’s Class of Grove Church.

Community organizations hosted several events to support Food For The Hungry. 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. 

The Knox County Park District’s Fire and Ice event brought in $2,227 and 706 food items, while the WeRunMV’s 15th annual Turkey Trot brought in $1,837 and 663 items with 254 runners/walkers participating.

Other notable donations from local businesses and organizations, including $10,000 donations from Ariel Corp. and Kokosing Inc., as well as $5,000 from Knox County Foundation and $2,000 each from Mortellaro McDonald’s and Starting Over Enterprises.

There were many other generous donations. The $300 and Above Donors list can be found at www.foodforthehungrycares.org/top-donors-and-events

Donations to the FFTH Drive are still being accepted until Dec. 31. Donate at www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org. You may also walk in or mail cash or check donations to: WRP CPA’s, 1684 Venture Dr., Suite B, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 (designate Food For The Hungry).