Category: Knox County Ministries

Jacob Doup with WRP CPAs talks about donating to Food For The Hungry

Jacob Doup with WRP CPAs talks about 2024 Food For The Hungry.

Click HERE for the full conversation.
Jacob about the services WRP CPAs provides to Food For the Hungry including bookkeeping and keeping track of donations.
Jacob says that wages have not keep with the economy and more people are struggling. He talks about how donations for Food for the Hungry can equate to an enormous buying power at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
Jacob details the different ways people can donate to Food For The Hungry including the checkpoints around Knox County, online, through Venmo, during drive day and by calling (740) 397-9084.

Click HERE to make a donation.

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The Salvation Army is serving the community with the help of Food For The Hungry

Captain Christine Moretz and Cadet Jalicia Smalley from the Mount Vernon Salvation Army discuss the tough economic times and their reliance on the community and Food For The Hungry for support.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Christine notes that the economy is bringing more families in need, especially during the holidays. Jalicia reports serving 900 households, totaling over 3,100 people, with 199 new households included. Nearly $20,000 went to utility and rental aid. In 2024, 846 households, about 3,000 people, received over $20,000 in utility and rental assistance with a few weeks remaining. Christine notes that community donations, especially during Food For The Hungry, help them make things happen. Over 700 kids applied for Christmas Assistance this year. She adds how you can donate or volunteer to make a difference.

You can make a donation HERE

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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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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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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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A Christmas Carol is coming to the Knox Memorial

The holiday season is here!
Don’t miss your chance to see A Christmas Carol at the Knox Memorial.
Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Join the Knox Memorial with the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium and Habitat for Humanity Knox County for this beloved family classic live on stage!

WNZR was honored to chat with several members of the team:

  • Ian Ernsberger, Director
  • Aaron Moreland, Ebeneezer Scrooge
  • Jillian Snow, Ghost of Christmas Past

Click HERE to enjoy the conversation or click on the link below.
Get your tickets to see this Christmas Classic this weekend!

A Christmas Carol is presented by the Knox Memorial.
Produced by Mount Vernon Arts Consortium.
Shows:
November 29th @ 7:30 P.M.
November 30th @ 7:30 P.M.
December 1st @ 1:00 P.M.

VENUE: Knox Memorial Theater
(112 E. High St, Mount Vernon, OH 43050)

TICKETS: $20
Click HERE for tickets.

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Place 4 Grace shares an exciting announcement with WNZR

The Morning Thing was excited to have several special guests on Monday’s show.
Representatives from Place 4 Grace stopped by the studio to share a ministry update and a very exciting announcement.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click the link/picture below.

The BIG NEWS is that Place 4 Grace has hired House Parents! This is an answer to many years of prayers.
Samantha and Austin Beckett have taken on this call and talked about how God directed them to be a vital part for the future of the ministry.

Kandee Popham, Executive Director also shared the history of Place 4 Grace and how they have been serving Mommas and babies in our community.

Hosanna Swartz, Community Outreach Manager also joined us to talk about how Place 4 Grace is funded. She shared about p4g Thrift Boutique and how this outreach is supporting Mommas, babies and the overall ministry.

We also shared an update from last Friday’s Flannel Fest fundraiser.
You can still make a donation to Flannel Fest at http://www.place4grace.com/ff2024

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram – place 4 grace and p4g Thrift
Website – http://www.Place4Grace.com
Phone – 740-847-2232
Email – info@place4grace.com

Pictures from the Place 4 Grace Flannel Fest.

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Today is Food For The Hungry Kick-Off Day!

It is Food For The Hungry Kickoff Day!
Today, we celebrate a legacy of giving that started in 1982.
2024 marks the 43rd Anniversary of this incredible campaign.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with the new Food For The Hungry Executive Director, Kathy Brechler and Olivia Stern, Digital Content and Marketing Director.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

The ladies covered many topics about this year’s drive:

  • 2024 Drive Goal of $330,000
  • Why the goal has increased
  • The power of $1.00 at the Mid Ohio Food Collective ($1.00 – $4.56)
  • The Value of volunteers and how you can get involved
  • This is a local effort and donations stay right here in Knox County
  • Upcoming events to support the campaign
  • Summer Grant Program (15 local organizations received grants for a total of $29,500)
  • Top 10 needed food items
  • Healthy Donation Guide
  • How to stay connected

The ladies also shared powerful stories of how residents have been impacted by these donations. They also shared about their summer visits to several of our local pantries that benefit from FFTH.

Your generosity is astounding each year and we believe this will be another fantastic season of giving to support the FFTH mission of alleviating hunger in Knox County.
We invite you to get involved! Donate, Volunteer, Host an Event/Collection, or Attend an Event!

To learn more, visit http://www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org
Food For The Hungry – Working Together To Care For Our Neighbors.

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