- FFH is a community drive that involves Knox County and benefits two local agencies – Interchurch Social Services and the Salvation Army.

- 100% of all donations stay in Knox County and are distributed by these agencies. Donations are used for food distribution and client aid (including basic necessities).

- Interchurch has branches in Mount Vernon, Centerburg, Danville and Fredericktown. The Mount Vernon Salvation Army serves as a church, food pantry and community outreach center. The Salvation Army also has service units in Centerburg and Fredericktown providing financial assistance only.

- 100% of all donations from a particular community are used for that particular community. (Example – all food and funds collected in Fredericktown stays in Fredericktown to serve the residents.)

- 2007 marks the 26th Food For The Hungry drive. This campaign started in 1982 with local radio host Charlie Kilkenny (WMVO). Charlie and his wife Carol wanted to help families affected by a factory closing in Mount Vernon.

- In 1982, $1,600 and 7 truckloads of food were collected. The 2006 total was $153,904 and 48 truckloads of food. To honor our silver anniversary, $40,000 was designated to purchase walk-in refrigerator and freezer units for the food pantries.

- The 2007 goal is $140,000 and 50 truckloads of food.

- 6 partners underwrite the expenses of FFH: WMVO/WQIO (BAS Broadcasting), Mount Vernon News, WNZR, Time Warner Cable, Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Nelson & Nelson CPAs.

- Each partner contributes a designated financial donation, in kind services (related to their particular business) and manpower.

- The partnership began in 1995 and is a model of community service and outreach. Other communities have approached various partners to seek information on the FFH model with hopes of incorporating our organizational system within their own cities.

- FFH is MANY EVENTS culminating into a one day simulcast (broadcast on both radio and television) – Saturday, December 8 (the second Saturday of December).

- Food For The Hungry is…..

o The Fredericktown Christmas Walk and Antique & Collectibles Auction, 12/2

o Danville Christmas tree and wreath silent auction, 11/24 – 12/15

o Psi Iota Xi Auction of “Holiday Treasures to benefit FFH”, 11/24 – 12/1

o Food For The Hungry Holiday Invitational Basketball Tournament, 12/7-12/8 (involves MVNU and Kenyon)

o Stanley Can Competition for high school students – coordinated by MVNU

o Elementary School food drive – coordinated by Psi Iota Xi

o Preschool food drive – coordinated by the YMCA

o Knox County Career Center Truck Auction – two trucks are refurbished by Career Center students and auctioned in the live broadcast, 12/8

o 30 collection points around Knox County collect food on 12/2 including these locations: Mount Vernon, Gambier, Centerburg, Fredericktown, Danville, Howard, Millwood, Brinkhaven, Martinsburg, Amity, Mount Liberty and Bladensburg.

o Media shopping cart derby involving WNZR, WMVO, Mount Vernon News and Time Warner Cable

o Live TV and Radio Broadcast – WMVO and Time Warner Cable carry the event live from City Hall. WNZR and WQIO provide live updates throughout the day.

o The broadcast involves check and food presentations from local businesses and organizations, musical entertainment and video documentaries highlighting the needs in our community.