MOUNT VERNON – Although COVID-19 safety measures threaten to hamper the 2020 version of the Food For The Hungry (FFTH) fundraiser, organizers have pledged to keep the popular charity event operating business as usual, with a few caveats.
"Nothing has been normal in 2020, so we are creating a 'new normal' for Food For The Hungry,” FFTH Board President Samantha Scoles said. “We are seeing changes in how some of our supporting events are happening in response to COVID-19, but overall, we will continue the mission of Food For The Hungry.”
A community tradition for 39 years, FFTH last year raised $251,377 and 21.5 truckloads of food. This year, despite the pandemic (or perhaps because of it) the goal is still a respectable $240,000.
“The need this year is greater than any we've experienced, which is why our board and supporting organizations are being creative and innovative when it comes to our traditional fundraising events," Scoles said.
Thus, organizers have tabled a handful of events: the Mount Vernon Christmas Parade, Mount Vernon Christmas Walk, Danville auction, KCCC Spaghetti Dinner and the MVNU 5K (Homecoming).
But that leaves some notable events intact, such as the Fredericktown Christmas Walk, the Kenyon Snowflake Gala (virtual this year), the Turkey Trot and numerous fundraisers at area schools.
“What has become normal in 2020 is to think outside the box, and that's exactly what we're doing because we know the value of working together to care for our neighbors," Scoles said.
FFTH’s flagship event is a live radio and online broadcast honoring grant recipients. Normally this event airs on WNZR and other stations on the second Saturday in December.
This year, however, organizers moved the broadcast to accommodate a football faceoff between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines on that date. Since the game is slated for broadcast on a key affiliate, the FFTH show (from Knox County Memorial Theater) will move to Friday, Dec. 11.
The two primary beneficiaries of FFTH are Interchurch Social Services and the Salvation Army. Both groups distribute aid to other food assistance organizations as well. The campaign noted that 100% of all donations stay in Knox County.
The help FFTH provides extends throughout the year. For example, in March and August of 2020, the campaign collaborated with other agencies to deliver emergency grants to area families of $23,500 and $30,000, respectively.
“When things don't go the way they should, we are here to help things get back on track,” FFTH Marketing Director Katelynn Mabe said.
