The 26th annual Food For The Hungry Drive begins today throughout Knox County, and will culminate in a live television and radio broadcast on December 8, from Mount Vernon’s City Hall. The goals for this year’s drive are $140,000 and 50 truckloads of food.

Joseph Rinehart, President of the Board of Directors for the Food for the Hungry Drive says, “Each year the Food for the Hungry Drive involves more people, generates more resources and helps more Knox County Citizens in need. We’re thrilled to be able to help our own community.”

And the need is rising. According to national statistics from the Agriculture Department, hunger has increased in this country by 5% over the past year. Knox County’s food pantries have seen the direct result of this increase.

The Mission of Food For The Hungry is to help Interchurch Social Services and The Salvation Army stock their food pantries and give financial assistance to their support of Knox County's citizens in need. The annual drive is made possible through the support of six corporate sponsors (The Mount Vernon News, BAS Broadcasting, Time Warner Cable, WNZR Radio, Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Nelson & Nelson, CPAs) and thousands of Knox County residents, businesses and organizations who volunteer their time and donate food and funds.

“Food For The Hungry is truly unique,” said FFH Executive Director, Micah Rubenstein. “It is 100% local: it is not part of a national organization; 100% of the donations raised are used for the purpose intended: unlike many organizations that extract 15% from donations for operating costs, most services needed (printing, advertising, etc) are donated by local businesses, and the corporate partners pay for any additional operating costs; and local media have banded together to help support those citizens most in need… this is rare in a community.”

“But all this goes to prove,” continued Rubenstein, “what a special community Knox County is: I have never seen a place that opens their hearts as much. As one friend once said to me, ‘Giving in Knox County is a competitive sport.’ Literally thousands of people help to make the annual Food for the Hungry Drive successful.”

Throughout the next six weeks, look in the Mount Vernon News, on Time Warner Cable, on WNZR, WMVO and other local media channels, for articles explaining the needs, announcements and notices about upcoming FFH events to raise food and funds in our county. Information about the Food for the Hungry Drive and the many community activities that support it can also be found on the event website, www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org.

If you or your service organization or business would like to donate time, money or services, call FFH Executive Director Micah Rubenstein at 740-392-9696.