The purpose is the same: to raise money for Food for the Hungry. The bidding procedure, however, is different this year.

The auction of the Psi Iota Xi-sponsored Holiday Gallery of trees, wreaths, stockings, ornaments, and gingerbread houses will be silent bids only this year. Previously the bidding was done on a live telecast on the day of the Food for the Hungry Drive.

The Holiday Gallery location is in the old Packard's building (16 S. Mount Street) at the corner of Vine Street. The first opportunity for the public to view the items will be this Friday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Gallery will also be open on the day of the Christmas parade Sat., Nov. 24, from 10-4, and again on Sunday during the Christmas Walk 1-5 p.m.

Now in its eighth year, the Psi Iota Xi auction has raised over $200,000 for Food for the Hungry. All items are donated and auction proceeds go to support the efforts of the Salvation Army and Interchurch Social Services. Several donors of the holiday items have been a part of the auction previously.

Making its second appearance is "Little Knox," a traveling bear with an accompanying quilt with 60 photos from all over Knox County-a project of the Chester Baptist Church. The hand-quilting was done by Peggy Frame, and the photos were taken by Bonnie Wythe. Other bears were designed by Cindy Barkhimer, That Place on Market; Lisa Blubaugh, Potpourri Cottage Gifts; Robin Platt, Cross Creek Collectables; and Duke and Laurel Wagoner, Down Home Leather.

Wreaths of all types and sizes have been created and donated by Paul's Flowers, Cindy Miller, Holly Curts, Vicki Fitzgerald, Nancy Gallogy of Ohio Eastern Star Home; Carol Durbin of That Place on Market, and the Fredericktown Town and Country OCCL Mothers Club.

The Soroptomist Club of Mount Vernon/Knox County has been a part of the auction since its inception with trees decorated and donated by Sally Wright of Flowers for You. Other tree contributors are Elizabeth Doolittle and sorority members Glenna Pealer, Loretta Godfrey, and Judy Shepherd, who are participating for the fifth year.

To celebrate the successful season, the OSU Alumni Club has donated an all-Buckeyes' stocking to adorn the fireplace of a successful bidder. Other stockings were created and donated by Deborah Yorde and Marilyn Stokes of Craftsman Hill Fibers, Maggie Moore, Velma Matthew, and Vickie Kinney.

Mary Schlegel has created several handmade ornaments with Knox County scenes. Other ornaments are Venetian crystal from Murano, Italy, donated by Janet Schisler.

Gingerbread houses are on display, but will not be bid items. The Pink Cupcake sponsored the gingerbread house contest, and sponsorships were obtained for the houses, which will return to the bakers.

Following the weekend viewing times, the gallery will be open the week of Nov. 26-30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., staffed by Jan Quinn's senior social studies Learn and Serve students.

Community sponsorship for the benefit auction is provided by the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon/Knox County and First-Knox National Bank.