MOUNT VERNON – Although the dollar amount raised in this year’s Food For The Hungry (FFTH) campaign might have fallen short of last year’s benchmark, the number of truckloads of food contributed in 2021 nearly doubled over last year.
A press release from FFTH organizers touted the cash donations, which totaled $257,538, as well as 26 truckloads of food, versus 15.3 truckloads last year.
“The total is still climbing,” said spokesperson Katelynn Mast.
Now in its 40th year, FFTH leverages Mount Vernon community spirit to raise food and funds to help Interchurch Social Services, The Salvation Army and other food assistance organizations of Knox County.
Although the event showcases a variety of events, from school fundraisers, coffeehouse competitions and library fine contests, the event culminates in an eight-hour live broadcast, held this year on Friday, Dec. 10, from the Knox Memorial.
Grants of $2,000 went to each of the following projects involving food assistance:
- ACTS Food Pantry
- Byron Saunders Foundation, Knox County Chapter
- Central Christian Church Food Pantry
- Community Hunger Outreach Mobile Pantry (CHOMP)
- Covenant Church Food Pantry
- First Congregational Church of Christ Hot Meals Program
- Fredericktown United Methodist Church, Peace Meals Program
- The Freedom Center, Nutrition in Recovery Program
- Knox County Career Center Food Pantry
- Knox County Task Force for Older Adults
- Knox Learning Center, Hungry For Knowledge Project
- Lazarus Life Ministries
- Lifepoint Church, Backpacks of Hope
- New Directions, Hunger Needs After Hours Project
- North Bend Church of the Brethren
- Say a Prayer Ministries/In Joy Food Pantry
- The Church on the Rise Food Pantry
- The Father’s Table, Food Pantry and Hot Meal
- TouchPointe Marriage & Family Resources
Knox County School drives
Hosted by Psi Iota Xi Sorority, the Knox County Elementary School drive raised $16,787 and 12,686 food items from over a dozen schools:
- Centerburg 1,842 food items and $2,437
- Danville 732 food items and $1,045
- East Knox 1,384 food items and $1,358
- Fredericktown 1,576 food items and $2,496
- Columbia 979 food items and $1,060
- Dan Emmett 1,045 food items and $241
- East 667 food items and $1,348
- Pleasant Street 844 food items and $485
- Mount Vernon Middle School 760 food items and $1,731
- St. Vincent de Paul 425 food items and $532
- Twin Oak 1,021 food items and $1,571
- Wiggin Street 1,051 food items and $2,075
- The Learning Center 361 food items and $186
- Extra ($222.03)
High school totals:
- Centerburg High School: 213 food items and $105
- Danville High School: 201 food items and $152
- East Knox High School – 1 truckload of food
- Fredericktown High School: $1,464
- Mount Vernon High School: 476 food items and $1,542
- The Knox County Career Center: $8,119 and 6,951 food items (5.57 truckloads of food)
- Lab that brought in the most items overall—Auto Tech Lab
- Lab that brought in the most food items (no cash)—Landscape Design and Management Lab
- Penny Battle Winner—Landscape Design and Management Lab
The 2021 Central Knox County Award goes to the Knox County Career Center.
The 2021 Greater Knox County Award goes to Fredericktown.
New this year to celebrate the 40th year of FFTH, a very special category was created for the next highest collecting high school after the two winning schools: All–Knox Runner–up Category – Mount Vernon High School
Higher education donations
The Kenyon Snowflake Gala continues to be a significant contributor to FFTH. In another year with multiple challenges, the gala fundraising totaled $80,860! Kenyon presented this year's William A. Stroud Jr. Award for community service to the People of Knox County.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University presented the Stephen W. Zelkowitz Memorial Award to Kathy Brechler of Kenyon College. Kathy was honored for her many years of service helping to coordinate the Kenyon Snowflake Gala and other collections at Kenyon. We honor her incredible commitment and passion for the annual FFTH drive.
Other notable donations:
- The Fredericktown Christmas Walk: $9,357
- Mount Vernon Dental & SuperQ 93.7 WQIO: $4,668 and a quarter truckload of food
- Knox Community Hospital: $9,900 and 3/4 truckload of food
- Knox County Service Club Competition: $3,515
- Mount Vernon Nazarene University Faith Works Program: $2,306
- Turkey Trot: $1,034 and 264 food items
- Battle of the Coffee Shops: $1,882 and 31 food items
- Folkfest (Foodstock): $1,050 and 115 food items
- Fire & Ice: $1,270 and 205 food items
- Centerburg Wreath Auction: $90
- The Knox County Career Center Online Silent Auction: $3,542
Collection point totals
Apple Valley/Howard:
Red Rover Marathon – 70 food items and $130
Centerburg:
Interchurch Branch – 27 food items and $784
Hometown Market – 87 food items and $251 Total
Danville:
Interchurch Branch – 26 food items and $497
Hometown Market – 23 food items and $74
Fredericktown:
BellStores – 29 food items and $146
Gambier:
The Village Market – 0.6 truckload of food (just over 1/2 truck) and $4,618
Mount Vernon:
Aldi – 0.4 truckload of food (just under 1/2 truck) and $99
Kroger – 0.75 truckload of food (2/3 truck) and $420
Lanning’s Foods – 0.35 truckload of food (just over 1/4 truck) and $438.00
Baker’s IGA – 0.6 truckload of food (just over 1/2 truck)
Lowes – 0.25 truckload of food (1/4 truck) and $1,153
Walmart Supercenter – 0.75 truckload of food (3/4 truck) and $1,790
The Knox Memorial – Lots of Food and $8,014
“Thank you for doing your part to fight hunger in our community!” FFTH organizers said in the press release.
For photos, radio interviews, videos and more, visit foodforthehungrycares.org. The video archive of Saturday’s broadcast is also available at MVNU.tv in the on–demand tab and will be available for a full year.
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