December can feel overwhelming for families. Gifts to buy and wrap, cards to send, cookies to bake, houses to clean, decorations to hang, and recitals to attend—just when one task is finished, another takes its place.
This season, consider moving something down the list and adding one simple but powerful practice: Christmas prayer. Taking time to pray—daily or even weekly—can help you stay focused on what truly matters. Prayer brings peace, eases stress, and shifts the focus away from perfection and toward joy.
The iMOM Christmas Prayers is designed to help you do just that. Each prayer centers on meaningful themes like joy, peace, and hope, paired with a Bible verse that connects those words to the life of Jesus. It’s a gentle reminder of the gifts we already have—today and every day.
These prayers are perfect for kids, too, and come in three beautifully designed options. If you’re looking for ways to pray together as a family, check out iMOM’s 10 Ways to Teach Your Child to Pray for simple, encouraging ideas.
Food For The Hungry LIVE and Drive Day on December 12, 2025 was one to remember! From start to finish, the day was filled with generosity, celebration, and community spirit.
Click HERE to hear comments from those associated with the broadcast!
By the end of Drive Day, an incredible $260,465 had been raised along with 12.5 truckloads of food—a powerful reminder of what happens when Knox County comes together. Donors, volunteers, and grant recipients all played a part in making the day such a success, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
To relive the highlights, be sure to watch the recap video created by FFTH volunteer Ben Slater, which perfectly captures the energy and heart behind the event.
Looking ahead, our 2025 Drive Goal is $340,000, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going. Want to learn more or help make an impact?
Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!
Joe Rinehart and Jayme McMillan are both assistant professors of communications at MVNU, and they lead the live broadcast for Food For The Hungry.
They both share what it takes to make this event possible and why they believe that it is important. They also explain the details behind the broadcast.
The Live Broadcast begins on Friday, Dec. 12 at 9 A.M. and continues until 5 P.M.
FFTH Live will be available on 100.9 FM and 93.7 HD2 – WMVO, with video stream at www.mvnu.tv and the FFTH YouTube channel. Updates will be given throughout the day on 90.9FM WNZR, 93.7 The Super Q, and FFTH social media. FFTH Live will air from the Memorial Theater in Knox Memorial on East High Street in Mount Vernon.
This year’s Broadcast, as always, is a celebration of giving. The Broadcast highlights many community members and organizations presenting their contributions to the Drive. The FFTH Winter Grants recipients will be featured throughout the day. FFTH and Psi Iota Xi will also recognize several Knox County school and student collection winners.
For more information about Food For The Hungry click HERE!
Kelly Jaeger works with WRP CPAs and is also the treasurer for the Food For The Hungry board!
Kelly goes over all of the amazing ways to give and the impact that giving has on the community. She also highlights the donations staying local and how far your dollar can really go.
Captain Christine Moretz joins us and talks about the Salvation Army and Food For The Hungry!
She highlights the Salvations Army’s new building as well as what they can do with just a single dollar. Captain Christine also shares about what can happen when generosity is a priority and how amazing it can be if you choose to help.
To learn more about the Salvation Army click HERE!
Katie Frazier is the Branch Manager for Interchurch Social Services in Fredericktown!
She joins us and shares how their numbers have grown, how you can help them, and some of the amazing things going on in their ministry! She also highlight Food For The Hungry and why you should get involved.
To learn more about Interchurch Social Services click HERE!
Interchurch Social Services Executive Director Carolyn Fergus recently sat down with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to talk about the growing need they’re seeing across Knox County.
Fergus, who has been with Interchurch for three and a half years and oversees all four branches, says the number of families asking for help has more than tripled since last year. So far in 2025, Interchurch has already provided more than 189,000 meals, a number she says shows just how challenging things have become for many local families.
Right now, Fergus says volunteers are their biggest need. Some days, the Mount Vernon pantry alone serves up to 50 families, which puts a huge strain on their team. Mount Vernon has seen the largest spike in need, but thankfully the other branches have been able to step in and support where they can.
Fergus also shared the story behind the two pop-up food distributions they held this fall. These events were created to help people who couldn’t get to their main locations but still needed immediate support.
Donations continue to be important, especially canned goods like beans, which always seem to run out quickly. Fergus pointed out that even small financial gifts go a long way—every $1 donated turns into about $4.56 worth of food through their partnerships.
Interchurch offers more than food, too. Fergus talked about the other services they provide, including rental and deposit assistance, help with utilities and prescriptions, gas vouchers, and more. She’s already looking ahead to 2026 and hopes they’ll be able to expand their storage space to meet the rising demand.
When asked how people can pray for them, Fergus mentioned rest for their volunteers, patience, and the ability to show Christ’s love to everyone who walks through their doors. She’s been connected with Food For The Hungry almost since its beginning and says she’s passionate about serving local missions.
Fergus ended the conversation with a story that gives a glimpse into the lives of the people Interchurch serves. She hopes more people will get involved, reminding listeners that everyone deserves a good meal—and to know that someone cares. She says Food For The Hungry’s slogan, “Working together to care for our neighbors,” perfectly captures why this work matters so much to her.
Click HERE to learn more about Interchurch Social Services!
Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!
Cindy Martin, Branch Manager with the Danville Branch of Interchurch Social Services talks with WNZR’s Eric Brown about her role in the organization and their ministry.
She has served the ministry since 1998, volunteered for 9 years then became manager in 2019. She talks about the changes in the economy has made getting items much harder, stretching dollars.
She shares several numbers including in 2024, they served 17,514 meals equating to 1,946 people, to date in 2025, they have served 15, 867 meals equating to 1,763 people this year. She adds what the biggest needs are in Danville including: loaves of bread, boxed meals, canned foods and other non-perishable foods. She adds that any monetary donations are used to getting frozen meat to distribute.
Cindy says the among the Food For The Hungry’s Top 10 ten list she points to condiments among the most desired items, because they are rarely donated.
She talks about how Interchurch can take $1 and turn it into $4.56 worth of food and how Food For The Hungry donations help in more ways than just providing food.
Cindy talks about the Danville’s branch silent Wreath and Home Décor Auction going on through December 12th at the Danville Branch of Park National Bank. There are five different items to bid on including a wreath featuring ice skates that are over 50 years old. All items may be viewed in-person during regular business hours. All proceeds benefit Food For The Hungry and Interchurch Social Services Danville Branch.
She says that the best way to pray for their staff is to give them the ability to do what they do.
Finally, she explains what the slogan, “Food For The Hungry, Working Together to Care For Our Neighbors,” means to her which includes that people should share and share alike.
Click HERE to find out more about Interchurch Social Services!
Click HERE to find out more about Food For The Hungry!
Joely Lepley, chair of the Fredericktown Christmas Walk committee, recently sat down with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to chat about what goes into pulling off one of the community’s most beloved traditions.
As the lead organizer, Joely helps guide committee meetings and keep everything on track leading up to the big day on December 6th. The theme, as always, is the warm and familiar “A Country Christmas.”
During the conversation, Joely highlighted the wide variety of activities planned for this year’s walk. Beyond the festive fun, she explained that the event plays an important role in supporting Fredericktown families, with funds raised being distributed to several local charities.
When asked about her favorite part of the Christmas Walk, Joely admitted she can’t choose just one—what she really loves is seeing the entire community come together in the Christmas spirit. This year is especially meaningful, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the event, deepening her sense of connection to the town.
Joely also shared gratitude for the committee members, generous donors, and everyone who shows up year after year to make the Christmas Walk possible. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. along Main Street in Fredericktown, and she offered tips on the best spots to find parking so visitors can easily join the fun.
And her Christmas wish? A happy, healthy holiday season for all.
Click HERE to learn more about the Fredericktown Christmas Walk
Rise and Shine 