MOUNT VERNON – Psi Iota Xi worked with elementary schools across Knox County this week to collect food and cash donations for Food For The Hungry, which benefits the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
Sandra Fithian, from Psi Iota Xi, recently spoke with Marcy Rinehart at WNZR about the food drive and why it's especially significant this year.
"So many families have lost their incomes, or a portion of their incomes, since early in this whole pandemic," Fithian told Rinehart. "So families that haven't experienced food insecurities in the past are realizing just how difficult it can be to sustain their standard of living."
Luckily for those in Knox County, they live in a generous community, Fithian told Rinehart.
While Psi Iota Xi has normally focused its efforts just on Mount Vernon for the food drive, this year they sent home handouts with elementary students from all over Knox County, Fithian told Rinehart. But even if the handout was misplaced, or someone simply doesn’t have the handout, they can still participate.
"You can always touch base with the school office," Fithian said.
Those who know a student who is collecting can donate canned goods and other nonperishable items such as canned meat, stew, hearty soups, pasta, boxed dinners, peanut butter, pasta and noodles, spaghetti sauce or instant potatoes, Fithian told Rinehart.
Cash donations are also being accepted, and each dollar has the buying power of $9 through the Food Bank, Rinehart said. Since $9 can feed a family of four for three days, that can go a long way.
There's also a competition going on among classrooms and among students, Fithian said.
"The top participating class will win a pizza party," Fithian told Rinehart. "Like last year, we’re going to try to include delivery so we can make it as easy on the teachers as possible." Additionally, the student from each school who brings in the most donations will win a prize from members of Psi Iota Xi, as well as being interviewed for a live broadcast on Friday, Dec. 11.
The Mount Vernon chapter of Psi Iota Xi has been active since 1937, Fithian said.
"Our main purpose is to further philanthropic enterprises," Fithian told Rinehart.
With their existing connections in the school system, Psi Iota Xi was a logical choice for Food For The Hungry to expand collection efforts through the schools approximately four decades ago, she said.
Fithian also offered her gratitude to those who help make the annual Food For The Hungry food drive possible.
"First and foremost, the schools," Fithian told Rinehart. "We know that our teachers are overwhelmed with more responsibilities than there are hours in the days."
She also thanked the other staff at the schools, from the school secretaries to the principals and superintendents. And finally, Fithian expressed gratitude to the pizza shops that will be providing the class rewards.
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