Food For the Hungry launches 2025 campaign to fight food insecurity in Knox County

It all started with an idea. Now, more than 40 years later, that idea generates over one-third of a million dollars annually. Food For the Hungry of Knox County is more than just a Christmas charity. It’s a movement that channels all of the best qualities of the people of Knox County. It is perhaps the biggest Christmas gift that gives as much to those who give, as it does to those who receive.

The mission of Food For the Hungry of Knox County is to raise and distribute food and monetary contributions to support needy individuals and families in Knox County. FFTH works with key partner agencies to address food insecurity, and to disrupt the poverty cycle.

Hunger and want know no season and spare no age group. Food insecurity doesn’t differentiate between outlying rural villages, housing subdivisions, or the small cities and towns of Knox County.

So, how deep is the poverty cycle? According to FFTH’s own website there are an estimated 14,400 people who struggle with food insecurity in Knox County. With the total population at just a little over 64,000 residents, countywide, that means just a little over one in five individuals are in need of help.

FFTH Director Kathryn Brechler, now in her second year at the helm, was the director of board relations and presidential and community events at Kenyon College, until her retirement in early 2024. She was trying to figure out the next chapter in her life, when she stumbled across the answer.

“I had submitted my retirement to our board and president at Kenyon in February of 2024,” said Brechler. “So, we were at a board meeting in San Francisco and I was flying back, thinking about my retirement and I said to myself, ‘Wow this is really happening, after all these years.’ Then I kept thinking, ‘How am I going to make this transition?’ So, I got back to Mount Vernon, and I was catching up on some email that Sunday and, lo and behold, the executive director position for Food For the Hungry was on my email. So, I thought, ‘Well I can do this and it's part time.’ After that, I reached out, went on a few interviews, and I started in this role on July 1st of 2024. Now, this is my second (Christmas) drive in this position.”

That includes 2025 Live and Drive Day, which can be heard on WMVO-FM, WQIO-FM, and WNZR-FM. This year, it will air on Friday, Dec. 12, starting at 9 a.m., and will run until 5 p.m.

Of course, Live and Drive Day, also known as Radio Day, always brings back fond memories of the late Charlie Kilkenny, Mount Vernon's most venerable radio broadcaster.

“Charlie started Food For The Hungry, along with his wife Carol, in 1982,” said Brechler. “It started right in the plaza where the Krogers is located now. He just started with some local coverage, just asking for some folks to bring donations along with them. That is how we got our start and we're very grateful to Charlie and Carol and the wonderful idea they had. Charlie just wanted to help people during the holiday season and from there it just continued to grow to where we are now.”

In 1982, a total of $1,600 and seven truckloads of food were collected. Now, in the past three years combined, over one million dollars has been donated to FFTH.

The amount of need, and the amount of community support to meet that need, both had an impact on Brechler, when she joined FFTH last year.

“I cannot express properly how helpful everyone is in our community,” Brechler said. “My first time to be involved in this, in a closer way, was last year. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, because seeing everyone come together from so many different walks of life and so many different organizations at this time of the year, to help the most vulnerable in our community is heartwarming. Yet, it is heartbreaking to visit some of the schools and see the need. Also, to go to some of the pantries, and see how busy they are. Also, to go to some of the churches that provide the hot meals each day for those in need. We are lucky to live in Knox County where there is a hot meal available to every community member every day of the week.”

FFTH is an opportunity for the youngsters of Knox County to understand the gift of giving, while they get to interact with the community in a meaningful way.

“There are county wide competitions,” said Brechler. “The elementary, junior high, and high schools get involved. I like the school competitions, because they show younger people that they can help those who need extra help at certain times in their lives, and that coming together is really important. No donation is too small.”

People can donate canned food items, non-perishables, and personal care items at The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, now through Dec. 5. Also, Ellis Brothers Inc. & United Aggregates Inc. will accept canned and non-perishable goods throughout the month of November.

The 15th Annual Turkey Trot 5K run/walk will take place on Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 27) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. There is no fee and is open to runners and walkers of all ages. Start time is 9 a.m. Registration starts at 8 p.m. They will accept cash donations, as well as canned food and non-perishables. The event is hosted by WeRunMV. For information call Scott Burgess (740) 326-0750.

The Knox County Park District’s Fire and Ice event will be held Dec. 6, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Honey Run Waterfall. Donations of shelf-stable food and/or monetary contributions are welcomed and encouraged. Parking is available at the Millwood Church of Christ located at 10900 Millersburg Road in Howard.

The 2025 Annual Food For the Hungry Snowflake Gala, will be held Dec. 13 in the Lowery Athletic Center. The $100 per seat or $1,000 per table price includes a stylish reception, a gourmet dinner, a culinary arts lab, live entertainment from MTV Arts and the Knox Community Jazztet. Then, there will be an auction to top it off. Deadline to RSVP is Friday, Dec. 6. If you have questions, please contact Snowflake Gala Committee Member Aubrey Matkovick at matkovick1@kenyon.edu or (740) 427-5857.

Food For the Hungry is Knox County’s true spirit of Christmas, which gives everyone the chance to give in their own way.

“You can volunteer somewhere,” said Brechler. “You can write a check or you can bring canned goods. There are ways that you can help, and people really step up and do so. Aside from Charlie and Carol Kilkenny, Food For The Hungry received a lot of support from institutions that are still here, like Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Another was (The former) Nelson and Nelson accounting firm. Later, when Nelson and Nelson sold their accounting firm to WRP, part of the agreement was that WRP would continue Nelson and Nelson's involvement in Food For The Hungry. It was part of the contract. Kenyon College and Knox Community Hospital gave a lot of support. People in a lot of the local businesses have always been very supportive, with matching collections and things like that. I think, because of the strong connections we have in this community, like Park National Bank and other financial institutions, it just seems to be contagious. It really does. You can be a part of Food For The Hungry and then you're a part of something really special. Caring for your neighbors is so important.”

For information on donating or volunteering, or if you are (or know of) an individual in need, please call Food For The Hungry (740) 398-2408, or visit https://www.foodforthehungrycares.org/