Category: Inspirational

Food for the Hungry talks about Community Support

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart is joined by Austin Swallow Chairman of the Board of Directors and Tanner Cooper Risser Annual Drive and Community Relations Director, both working for Food For the Hungry.\

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Austin shared about their annual drive and how there is always a need for community support when it comes to hunger. Tanner shared about the responsibilities of his new title and how excited he is to serve.

How to get Involved

Austin talks about how you can get involved with Food For the Hungry by going to their website, foodforthehungrycares.org or go to their facebook page and look there. There is also a form to allow food for the hungry to help promote an event and get you involved. Tanner talks about how you never know when you’ll be in need for food for the hungry. You can get in by emailing him at director@foodforthehungrycares.org or call at 330-521-8474.

Prayer

Tanner asks you pray for him as he adjusts into his new role, he asks you pray for them to get to know each other and have the community to hear about their ministry and get involved. Austin asks you pray for continued support and get involved as help with the food security issue in Knox county.

Click HERE for more information on Food for the Hungry!

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June 2026 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Dr. Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 6/26/26.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • An update on the city’s storm cleanup efforts following several major weather events this year
    • The Mayor explains how City Crews balanced debris removal with ongoing infrastructure projects
    • He discusses the financial impact of repeated storms, and says the city is absorbing the unexpected costs while continuing to maintain parks, utilities, and other essential services.
  • Mount Vernon has become the first community in Knox County to join MORPC’s Sustainable 2050 initiative.
    • Mayor Starr explains what the designation means, emphasizing that it’s about responsible planning, protecting natural resources, improving neighborhoods and infrastructure, preparing for future growth, and strengthening the city’s ability to compete for grant funding—all while investing wisely for future generations.
  • Mayor Starr discusses a proposed workforce housing development on the north side of the community.
    • While the project would be located in Clinton Township, he says it would benefit Mount Vernon by helping address the area’s housing shortage.
    • If awarded grant funding, the development would eventually connect to city utilities through a partnership between the city and township.
  • Construction season continues across Mount Vernon as crews work on utility upgrades, street improvements, brick road restoration, and infrastructure projects throughout the city.
    • Mayor Starr reviews several road closures and detours, saying the temporary inconveniences will lead to long-term improvements that enhance neighborhoods and improve quality of life for residents.
  • Mayor Starr recaps recent action by Mount Vernon City Council, including efforts to improve utility governance with Clinton Township.
    • He explains how proposed changes could simplify operations, eliminate unnecessary fees for township residents, and strengthen cooperation between the city and township while continuing to provide reliable utility services.
  • Mayor Starr highlights several significant actions taken by City Council, including expanding opportunities for future development through the New Community Authority and designating portions of downtown as an Urban Renewal Area.
    • He says those steps will allow future redevelopment around City Hall to reflect the vision residents shared during public listening sessions, while giving the city more control over how key downtown properties are developed.
  • Mayor Starr also shares an update on the future Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • City officials are finalizing the building design to stay within the project’s budget while ensuring officers receive a modern facility that meets today’s public safety needs.
    • Although some features will be phased in later, Starr says the project remains one of the city’s highest priorities and represents a major long-term investment in public safety, giving officers the space, technology, and resources needed to better serve the community for decades to come.
  • Mayor Starr provides an update on Mount Vernon’s police and fire departments.
    • He discusses increased activity for both agencies, ongoing officer and firefighter training, community engagement efforts, and preparations for future issues such as e-bike regulations.
    • He also shares progress on plans for the new police station, saying the project continues moving toward final design while remaining within budget.
  • Mayor Starr previews several upcoming community events, including First Friday, Independence Day festivities, and the popular Front Porch Concert Series.
  • Mayor Starr discusses progress on the Municipal Center, courthouse renovations, and planning for future paving projects as the city continues investing in long-term improvements.
  • Mayor Starr closes the June Spotlight by asking listeners to pray for city employees, elected officials, and first responders as they make important decisions and continue serving the community. He also encourages residents to celebrate Mount Vernon’s many successes while staying informed through the city’s website and social media channels.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – our favorite NEW Songs for the Summer of 2026

For our Friday Favorites this week, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite NEW Songs for the Summer of 2026!

Click HERE to hear why our hosts love these songs.

Marcy’s favorite is TobyMac “Lord It Feels Good”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHfw5d_fJyE

Ethan’s favorite is Matt Maher “Gonna Be Alright”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66jeCK6lL0A

Olivia’s favorite is We Are Messengers “Faith Hope Love”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUKfhyW6uE8

Daniel’s favorite is Sidewalk Prophets “Father Let It Be”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIBYEXd66_c

Eric’s favorite is Jeremy Camp “Revival”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTFi9WgMwPA

Thanks for listening to WNZR!

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If Guilt Wasn’t a Factor, What Would You Finally Let Go Of?

What would you let go of if guilt wasn’t part of the equation?

That was the question we discussed on the Morning Thing on Tuesday, and it led to some honest reflection. Many of us hold onto things long after they have stopped serving a purpose in our lives. Sometimes we keep carrying them because we feel responsible. Sometimes it’s because we’re afraid of what others might think. And sometimes it’s simply because letting go feels harder than hanging on.

The reality is that we all carry burdens. Some are necessary. Others may be burdens that God never intended for us to carry in the first place.

We often take on other people’s expectations. We try to fix problems that aren’t ours to solve. We feel guilty for saying no. We carry regrets from the past or put pressure on ourselves to meet standards that may be impossible to achieve.

Jesus offers a different perspective in Matthew 11:28-30 when He says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Notice what He doesn’t say. He doesn’t tell us to carry more. He doesn’t tell us to work harder. He invites us to come to Him.

As we talked about Tuesday, there is a difference between responsibility and burden. Scripture encourages us to care for one another and help carry each other’s burdens. At the same time, we can easily cross the line into carrying things that belong to someone else, or worrying about situations that are beyond our control.

Another challenge is learning the difference between conviction and guilt. Conviction helps us grow and points us toward God. Guilt often keeps us stuck, replaying failures and convincing us that we can never move forward.

The good news is that God’s grace was never based on our performance. Ephesians 2 reminds us that we are saved by grace, not by what we accomplish. We don’t earn God’s love by staying busy, fixing every problem, or carrying every burden.

The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 illustrates this perfectly. Martha was overwhelmed by everything that needed to be done, while Mary focused on what mattered most. Sometimes we can become so consumed by what we’re carrying that we miss the peace God is offering.

So here’s a question worth revisiting: If guilt wasn’t a factor, what would you finally let go of?

Whatever comes to mind, perhaps it’s worth asking whether God is asking you to keep carrying it—or whether He’s inviting you to place it in His hands.

Sometimes the most freeing thing we can do is let go of what was never ours to carry in the first place.

Click HERE for prayers to help you let go from Crosswalk.com

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Sunshine in the Shadows Event Aims to Help People Navigate Grief and Loss

Loss comes in many forms, and Ruth-Ann Thompson wants people to know that hope can still be found even in life’s darkest moments.

WNZR’s Eric Brown recently spoke with Thompson, who will be a featured speaker at the Sunshine in the Shadows event on Sunday, June 28th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon SDA Hill Church, located at 535 Wooster Road in Mount Vernon.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Thompson says her passion for grief ministry was born out of personal experience. She was widowed at age 24 after her husband was killed in a car accident. Thirteen years ago, she also experienced the loss of a son. Through those difficult experiences, she says God showed her that it is possible to find “sunshine in the shadows.”

She says many people struggle after a loss because they feel displaced and unsure of where they belong. Her goal is to help people rediscover hope and purpose while navigating grief.

The Sunshine in the Shadows event was inspired by Psalm 23:4 and the idea of walking through the valley of the shadow of death while still looking for God’s light. Thompson emphasizes that the event is not limited to those grieving the death of a loved one. She says grief can come from the loss of a job, income, friendships, a home, retirement, or any major life change.

The event is open to anyone experiencing loss, as well as those who want to better understand how to support someone who is grieving. Thompson hopes attendees leave with encouragement, hope, and the belief that there is something better ahead than what they may be experiencing today.

During the interview, Thompson also discussed the importance of faith during difficult times. She encourages people to continue moving forward while grieving, finding strength through prayer, God’s Word, and the support of others.

She also shared the story behind one of her books, which focuses on sibling loss. Thompson says siblings are often overlooked when a family experiences the death of a loved one, prompting her to create a resource that gives them space to process their grief. The book includes journaling sections and was influenced by her own family’s experiences following the loss of her son.

Thompson says one of the most important lessons she has learned is to pay attention to siblings, cousins, and others who may not be the primary focus of support after a loss but are hurting just the same.

She encourages anyone facing grief or walking alongside someone who is grieving to attend the event and be reminded that hope can still be found in the midst of life’s shadows.

For more information, call 740-358-9687 or click HERE!

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The Kiwanis club of Mount Vernon is Collecting Books Throughout June

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart is joined by Wendi Fowler from the Kiwanis club.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

She discusses how she’s been involved with Kiwanis for 21 years in Wooster and Mount Vernon. She is a consultant and a former board member of the Kiwanis club. She talks about how a few years ago, they redefined their identity and chose to lean into literacy side of things.

This drive is in memory of Kathie Everhard and she shares her memories about Kathie, she’d been involved for years and she recalls the story about her involvement with Kiwanis and how she was heavily involved early childhood education. She talks about how vibrant she was and how she was such an amazing member of Kiwanis.

She talks about how they collect books and what they do to help literacy by handing books out at summer camps. The collection dates are throughout the month of June, last year they collected 1200 books of their goal of 1000 books.

She tells you that you can drop books off at the Gallagher center at noon on June 22nd as well as going to the front office of the Ohio Eastern star and dropping books off at their front desk. She talks about the categories that they want from infant books, toddler books, preschool books, and graphic novels for the summer camps.

She talks how the better quality books, the better, but they aren’t picky unless they got chewed on by the dog. Upcoming events include their pie auction at the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival, they have a pancake breakfast on September 12th at Lakeholm Church and she mentions what the funds will be used for. You can become a Kiwanis club member on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at noon located at the Gallagher center. She talks about their members and who you can contact about getting involved.

Click HERE to learn more about the Kiwanis club of Mount Vernon

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If you received a free weekend trip, where would you go?

The Summer Travel Season is here!

If you received a FREE weekend trip right now, where would you go?
The Beach, Mountains, City or would you just stay at home?

The Big Blue Crew shares their thoughts and dreams for summer fun!

Click HERE or click on the pic below to hear from the WNZR Crew.

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