Category: Inspirational

Food For The Hungry benefits Knox County’s Interchurch Social Services

Carolyn Fergus, Executive Director of Knox County Interchurch Social Services stopped by WNZR to talk about how Food For The Hungry impacts her
county-wide ministry.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

She shared some eye-opening stats. She shared how the changes in the economy have impacted her clients.
Carolyn says the number of families who used their service in 2023 was just over 5,300. She says in 2024 they have serves over 7,500 families.
2024 stats of residents served: (these numbers are rounded)

  • Almost 3,000 seniors (60 & older)
  • over 9,000 adults and 6,100 children used their services totaling over 18,000 Knox County residents.
    NOTE: According to the US Census Bureau, Knox County has just over 63,000 residents.
    Interchurch provided over 164,000 meals in 2024
  • Interchurch provided over 164,000 meals in 2024.

Carolyn shared that the biggest needs for the organization and a Top 10 list of needs for the food pantries.
Carolyn talked about two big goals for 2025: to open the Centerburg location and create a school pantry program in every school in Knox County.

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Fire and Ice is back for 2024 to benefit Food For The Hungry

David Heithaus, Director of the Knox County Park District visited with The Morning Thing to talk about the exciting event Fire and Ice.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
This event is a benefit for the Food For The Hungry Drive.
You and your family can enjoy over 600 luminarias at Honey Run Waterfall this Saturday, 12/14 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm.
Please park at the Millwood Church of Christ, 10900 Millersburg Road in Howard. They will shuttle you to the waterfall area.
The Knox County Park District is asking that you bring a donation to Food For The Hungry. Both non-perishable food items and money will be accepted.
Don’t miss this amazing holiday event that helps families right here in Knox County!

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WNZR presents the December 2024 MVNU Presidential Update

MVNU’s President, Dr. Carson Castleman, talked with WNZR for our monthly MVNU Update.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Dr. Castleman shared his thoughts about fall semester at MVNU and plans for 2025.
We covered many topics including:

  • Enrollment numbers for Spring 2025
  • Top priorities for 2025
  • Fundraising campaign updates for the Chapel Project and the “On Deck Campaign” for MVNU Baseball
  • How giving to MVNU changes lives
  • Exciting events coming to MVNU in 2025
  • Dr. Carson Castleman highlights some exciting events coming up on his calendar and the MVNU calendar, including several trips for the Castleman family.
  • He shares special Christmas messages for MVNU students, faculty and staff.
  • He also shares how we can pray for MVNU and his family in the month of December.

Click HERE to stay up to date with news from MVNU.

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The 24th Annual Fredericktown Christmas Walk is Saturday 12/7!

The Morning Thing featured several special guests this week as we prepare to go to the 24th Annual Fredericktown Christmas Walk.
Click HERE to hear the conversations.
We talked with committee members about this fun event for families.
They shared schedule updates, event highlights, how long they have been involved and what they are looking forward to experience at this year’s event.
The Walk benefits the Salvation Army and Interchurch Social Services in Fredericktown, along with the Fredericktown Community Relief Fund.

Enjoy the conversation with:
Robin McClay – entertainment and the scrumptious live auction
Jamie Sanders – NEW Christmas Tree Trimming Contest
Carolyn Fergus – ornaments and inflatables
Joely Lepley – Committee Chair, schedule highlights
Cecelia McClelland – arts and craft vendor at the Presbyterian Church
Ellen Hoam – Santa’s visit, good places to park and how to get involved with the event

For full details Click HERE for their Facebook page.

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Today is Giving Tuesday. Your gift makes a difference!

Today on The Morning Thing, we talked about Giving Tuesday. Our special guests were Katie Ellis, Executive Director for United Way of Knox County; Joe Springer, Executive Director for the Winter Sanctuary and Carolyn Fergus, Executive Director for Knox County Interchurch Social Services.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Katie shared how important this day is to the 2024 United Way of Knox County Campaign. The focus for this year’s Giving Tuesday is Housing Stability.
She talks about why this topic is important to our community and the United Way as they fund various agencies and organizations in Knox County.
She tells us that housing stability is one of the greatest barriers for families.

Carolyn shares with us how Interchurch Social Services is working to keep families in their homes. She shares some stats from this year on how they are providing rental assistance. Through October 2024, they have spent $54,593 for housing requests in Knox County. Emergency Financial Aid has helped over 600 families and over 1,600 individuals in the county.

Joe shares about their Advocacy Program and how it is helping families and community residents in crisis. The program runs year-round for anyone at risk of losing their home.

Joe and Carolyn both share how the funding from the United Way is helping their organizations. They each share how gifts given today on Giving Tuesday will make a difference for their ministries.
Joe, Carolyn and Katie share goals for their organizations for 2025 related to the focus on housing stability.

To give today go to uwayknox.org

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Now is the time to reserve your seat for the 2024 Kenyon Snowflake Gala

Luisa Barone Gantt, Kenyon Communications and Project Management in the Advancement Division and Amy Quinlivan, Kenyon’s Coordinator of Administrative Services in the Office of the Provost came to WNZR to share about this year’s Snowflake Gala.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
The Event is Friday 12/13/24 at Kenyon’s Lowry Center.
Amy and Luisa share this year’s info – the theme is tied into Kenyon’s Bicentennial. There will be music from the Kenyon Jazztet, a photo booth and desserts from the Kenyon cookbook.
Amy and Luisa explain the Fund-A-Cause concept, the William Stroud Award for Community Service and the Founders Award.
Register at https://www.foodforthehungrycares.org/kenyon-gala-rsvp
The deadline to register is this Friday, 12/6/24.

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The Knox County Career Center Online Auction to benefit Food For The Hungry is back for 2024

Jim Riggle, Principal of Academics, Attendance and Discipline at the Knox County Career Center stopped by WNZR to talk about how the Knox County Career Center is collecting donations for Food For The Hungry.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation and descriptions of each basket!
He shared some amazing results from his time in the dunk tank at the KCCC Open House. He also talked about several competitions between student labs including the popular Coin Wars.
The Annual Online Auction of Themed Baskets is LIVE!
Jim shared the details of 20 different items that are up for bid, including 15 themed baskets. You can bid on a Family Fun Basket, The Blonde Robin Basket, Date Night Baskets, Car Care Baskets, the popular Foodies Basket, Girls Day Out, Guys Day Out and many more!
There are also individual items up for bid including a Yamaha Electric Bicycle and two packages of 20 pounds of Pork!
These baskets have a combined value of over $8,000 in donations!
Go to this site and place your bid: 32auctions.com/KCCCFFTH2024
The bidding closes on Friday, 12/13 at 3pm.

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The Food For The Hungry Service Club Challenge is back for 2024

Kathy Brechler, Food For The Hungry Executive Director and Carol Grubaugh, Executive Director for the Knox County Chamber of Commerce stopped by WNZR to talk about this year’s Service Club Challenge.
Click HERE to hear the conversation or click the link below.
Service Clubs throughout Knox County are hosting events and collections to benefit the annual drive.
The deadline to submit donations is December 9th.

Kathy also talks about how the Mount Vernon annual Holiday Parade and Winter in Downtown MV event will be a collection point. Look for the FFTH Shopping Carts in the parade!
Kathy shares a Top 10 list of foods that our local pantries have requested. She also shares a list of collection points that will be open on Friday, 12/13.
Would you like to volunteer? Volunteers are needed at the collection points.
Please email Kathy director@foodforthehungrycares.org

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