Food For The Hungry (FFTH) has named Captain Christine Moretz as the recipient of the 2025 Zelkowitz Memorial Award for Community Service. This annual award, sponsored by Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), is given to a Knox County resident who demonstrates significant dedication and leadership in community service, especially in support of Food For The Hungry.
The Zelkowitz Memorial Award honors Stephen Zelkowitz, a former president and general manager of Mount Vernon Broadcasting and president of Mount Vernon Cablevision. Zelkowitz played an important role in developing the Food For The Hungry initiative in Knox County.
Captain Moretz is currently the Commanding Officer at The Salvation Army Mount Vernon Corps. Her work has been described as an anchor of hope for the local community. Originally from Hempstead, New York, Moretz grew up as a “Salvation Army officer’s kid,” living in various locations including New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and Ohio. She pursued a career in early childhood education before entering full-time ministry and was commissioned as an Ordained Officer in The Salvation Army in 2013.
Her leadership at the Mount Vernon Corps follows previous service assignments and reflects the mission of The Salvation Army: “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination.”
During the presentation ceremony, FFTH President Austin Swallow and MVNU President Carson Castleman both recognized Captain Moretz’s contributions. Castleman said to Captain Christine, “On behalf of MVNU, we are excited to give this (award) to you. As I watched your (testimonial) video, I saw all throughout it the tapestry of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your service to this community — thank you for your service to the Kingdom.”
Swallow added: “Christine is a true friend. She does live what she preaches, and I appreciate that the most about her.”
In response, Captain Moretz stated: “I give God all the glory. It is because of Him that I live and breathe, and I am able to do what I can do for others. We don’t get it right all the time, but I do my best to love the Lord through service to others and to love his people – because He loves me and He loves you. I’m so very honored and humbled and grateful. To God be the glory! Thank you — thank you to this community.”
Mount Vernon Nazarene University sponsors this award as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting community service and global outreach rooted in Wesleyan evangelical traditions [source]. MVNU operates from Mount Vernon, Ohio [source], serving students across Ohio as well as West Virginia and eastern Kentucky [source]. Founded in 1968 [source], MVNU is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene [source].
More information about Food For The Hungry can be found at www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org. A video archive featuring coverage of this year’s FFTH Live Broadcast—including presentation of the Zelkowitz Memorial Award—can be accessed on demand at MVNU.tv.
