Food For The Hungry of Knox County will host its annual Live and Drive Day on Friday, Dec. 12, inviting residents to donate food and funds toward its 2025 goal of $340,000 in countywide hunger relief. Food For The Hungry LIVE will be available at www.mvnu.tv.
Collection sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bakers IGA, Lannings Market, Aldi, Walmart, and Kroger in Mount Vernon, with gifts also accepted at The Knox Memorial from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional locations include The Village Market in Gambier, Freddy Chevrolet in Fredericktown, Hometown Market in Danville, and Hometown in Centerburg.
The urgency of the drive is highlighted in the FFTH video. Rising grocery costs are projected to leave nearly 14,400 Knox County residents facing food insecurity in 2025. Partnerships with Interchurch Social Services and Salvation Army allow the provision of donated items and money to families in need.
As in previous years, 68 percent of the Drive Goal, together with all donated food, will support community partners Interchurch Social Services and The Salvation Army. The remaining funds will be distributed in 2026 through Summer Grants (8%), Winter Grants (14%), and a modest allocation for organizational expenses (10%).
Last year, the community's generosity helped Food For the Hungry raise $342,450.11 and 11 truckloads of food, surpassing its $330,000 goal. From the 2024 Drive, FFTH awarded $31,250 in Summer Grants to 16 Knox County organizations, prioritizing initiatives that provided meals for children dependent on school programs during the academic year.
Founded in 1982 after a factory closure left thousands unemployed, Food For the Hungry began with radio host Charlie Kilkenny’s call to action and has since grown into a 44-year countywide movement of hope.
The community is encouraged to watch the video on their Facebook or YouTube channels to learn more about the Food For The Hungry of Knox County.
