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.)

2011 marks the 30th 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 2009 total was $168,053 and 47 truckloads of food. To honor our 25th anniversary in 2006, $40,000 was designated to purchase walk-in refrigerator and freezer units for the food pantries. 

The 2011 the goal is $150,000 and 50 truckloads of food.

Six partners help 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 in-kind services and infrastructure related to their particular business and administrative personnel.

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 radio and television simulcast on the second Saturday of December – this year, Saturday, December 10, 2011.