We spoke with John Chidester, Director of the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, about their collection for Food For The Hungry.
He shared a brief history of their involvement with the drive, and he tells us which branches they accept donations at.
John also explains why he believes it is important to support Food For The Hungry.
To learn more about the library’s collection click HERE!
Ginny Williams talked with WNZR’s Eric Brown about the Byron Saunders Foundation and some of it’s history.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
It started in 2003 with only 20 meals and its grown so much. It started with the idea of just helping families have meals and it’s grown to be such a large part of Thanksgiving. It just started with people checking on neighbors and now it gone beyond that to a widespread to reach families and have a meal on Thanksgiving.
Ginny talks about how families can get a meal for Thanksgiving. All you have to do is either call or text to get a full boxed meal and certificate to get meats for Thanksgiving by calling 740-324-9503 to help get signed up.
The last pickup for the year is this Saturday, November 22nd at their new facility at Habitat for Humanity in Mount Vernon.
She also talks about ways you can help support their work through donations and volunteering. The Knox County community has been very supportive, and they’ve been so blessed with smaller groups who’ve done food drives with a small list of things they need for their meal boxes. They sell tickets at the Knox County Fair and she explains how the community helps with that as well as other fundraisers run to help them as well as the Food for the hungry who helps support them as well as so many others.
She also thanks Habitat for Humanity and their help by giving them a permanent location and they’re so thankful for having a location and not having to go from place to place to try to keep working all year. She’s so thankful for the community support to keep this foundation working.
She talks about the goals for the community to end the season, they need volunteers for the ticket booth at the Knox County fairgrounds. If you see something for their foundation, put some nonperishable food in there like cans, or call their number.
They have food that needs to be delivered for them if you have time to help them and helping people who can’t go to get their turkey.
Click HERE to find out more about the Byron Saunders Foundation.
Eric Brown got to speak with the Knox Community Jazz Orchestra Director, Ted Buehrer! Ted talks about their partnership with Food For The Hungry and talks about the concert. It is more than just a concert so he also details the entire event and lets you know what to bring!
To learn more about the KCJO click HERE!
Madeline Grace Banta from Orange Barrel Productions is acting in The Little Princess, and she plays Sara Crewe.
She tells us all about her acting history and she gives us the scoop on her role. Madeline highlights the production as well by telling us about the story and her favorite moments.
Alumni showed their love for WNZR and its ministry to the Knox County Community Saturday as they returned for our 39th anniversary!
Click HERE to hear all the conversations!
Some turned radio into a profession while others used the tools they learned to help them in the professional world outside the communications industry.
It was heartwarming to hear how this radio station and its ministry have impacted their lives.
Even the man who made sacrifices to help start WNZR, Bill Bridges (pictured with Joe and Marcy Rinehart) gave a short testimony.
Others who stopped by:
Click HERE to check out WNZR’s website!
Debbie Ruggles, who is Executive Director of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce is also involved with the group Psi Iota Xi.
Click HERE for the full conversation!
She talks about the group which is a women’s philanthropic organization and focuses on helping others in the area.
They got involved with Food For The Hungry because their mission closely aligns with the groups mission, so it was a natural fit.
Debbie says they are organizing the Food For the Hungry’s Elementary School drives. The drive is underway through November 21st. She says students can bring canned food and non-perishable food items. They are also accepting monetary donations.
Debbie explains why the food collection is incredibly important at this time of the year due to massive increased food costs. She says every food items or donation will stay in Knox County.
She says there are rewards for top collectors and the top class will receive a pizza party and top individual student from each school will be featured on FFTH Live on December 12th!
Debbie also thanks all the teachers, administration, staff and especially the students and parents who encourage the students to donate.
Debbie Ruggles talks about the purchasing power of monetary donations. She says for every dollar donated, Food For The Hungry organizers can buy $4.56 at the Mid-Ohio Collective.
She says that every can, non-perishable food item, and dollar helps those in need in Knox County.
She asks that students and parents reach out to their family and friends to help each student donate to the drive.
Debbie also talks about what Food For The Hungry’s slogan, “Working together to care for our neighbors” means to her.
She says Psi Iota Xi is bringing back their tea fundraiser in late spring.
Click on THIS link for their Facebook page and THIS link for the organization’s website!
Click HERE for Food For The Hungry!
Tony Montgomery from Orange Barrel Productions plays two parts in the play The Little Princess, Captain Crewe and Mr. Carrisford.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
He tells our Marcy Rinehart how he got into theater starting in 1999. He has also been in 50 productions including Orange Barrel starting in 2007 as well as other MTV Arts productions including Beauty and the Beast.
Tony explains how he has been preparing for both roles including using some of his real-life experiences into the characters.
He says that he likes both characters because they both want to help Sara.
He also explains what he will be wearing in the production as both characters.
He adds that both characters are portrayed a little differently than other similar productions.
He also explains how vital wardrobe can be to not only the audience but the actor or actress who need to get into character.
Tony gives some insight into the back story of the play. He says that Sara was a little princess growing up then faces some adversity and drops to a lower level of society.
Tony says that it has been interesting seeing the different castes that were a part of society at the time the play is set.
He says that his favorite memory in this show (and most shows) that the cast effectively becomes a family. He says it has been a treat to see the young cast members grow personally.
He says people should come see the Little Princess because at its core it is a story about making the most out of a bad situation with a positive attitude.
Click HERE for information and to buy tickets for the performances!
Knox County Career Center Teachers and Project Advisors Cassie Gray and Amy Rine joins student Carter Dickerson and to talk about their T-Shirt Fundraiser to support Food For The Hungry.
Click HERE for the full conversation!
Carter says that they do this event every year and Amy explains why the students decided to help Food for The Hungry. Amy says its really important to give back to the community and support those in need.
Cassie talks about their theme “Believe there is Good in the World (Be the Good) and why they decided to use that theme.
Carter says they have crewneck sweatshirts ($25) and t-shirts ($15) in olive green and cardinal red and sizes range from Extra Small to 4-XL.
Amy says shirts are on sale November 20th. The shirts will ship December 10th and should arrive by the Food For The Hungry broadcast on December 12th.
Cassie says the student officers have really managed the program. They met earlier this year, picked the theme and the high school staff helped select the colors. The students also sell the shirts during the lunch period.
The students will also be volunteering the KCCC Open House and in student competitions in December.
Click HERE to view their store!
Click HERE for the Food For The Hungry website!
In honor of Veterans Day, we had a conversation with Kevin Henthorn, executive director of Knox County Veterans Services.
He gave an overview of the services they provide and shared what Veterans Day means to him. Kevin also explained some of the difficulties his office faces and how we can support local veterans during the holidays and all year long!
To learn more about Knox County Veterans Services click HERE!
The city of Mount Vernon invites everyone to a special Veterans Day service at the Knox Memorial Theater, 112 East High Street. The the service begins at 11:00 a.m.
WNZR got to sit down with Dr. Carson Castleman, as he give us the November installment of our MVNU Presidential Update!
This month, Dr. Castleman shares about enrollment, the Tragedy Into Triumph event, and some ongoing construction projects! He also gives us an up to date look on some staff changes and Homecoming!
Go listen to the full conversation below!
Rise and Shine 