The Knox Community Jazz Orchestra will bring an evening of classic big band music to Kenyon College on Saturday, November 14, with a benefit concert supporting Food For The Hungry. WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Ted Buehrer, founder and director of the orchestra, about the group’s history and its continued commitment to serving the Knox County community.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
Founded by Buehrer in 2017, the Knox Community Jazz Orchestra is celebrating its 10th year. Buehrer serves as the organization’s president and music director while also playing trumpet. The 18-member ensemble brings together students, educators, working professionals, and retirees who share a love of music and a desire to make a difference in their community.
The free concert, titled “When You’re Smiling,” begins at 7 p.m. in Ross Hall at Kenyon College. The evening will feature beloved jazz standards, including “Fly Me to the Moon,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “Embraceable You.” Kenyon College senior Benjamin Priestland will also join the orchestra as a vocalist for several selections.
This year marks the fifth time the orchestra has partnered with Food For The Hungry for its annual benefit concert. Although admission is free, attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make a financial donation to support the campaign.
Buehrer says the partnership reflects the orchestra’s desire to be a positive presence in the community. He emphasizes the importance of working together, sharing resources, and using individual talents to help neighbors facing food insecurity. The concert also reflects this year’s Food For The Hungry theme, “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors.”
Community members are invited to enjoy an evening of music while supporting an important cause in Knox County!
Food For The Hungry officially kicked off its 45th anniversary campaign on November 6, bringing the Knox County community together to address food insecurity and care for neighbors in need. WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Food For The Hungry staff members Tanner Cooper-Risser and Olivia Stern about this year’s campaign, its impact on local families, and the many opportunities for community involvement.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
Tanner Cooper-Risser, FFTH Annual Drive and Community Relations Director shared that his responsibilities include coordinating volunteers, recruiting community partners, and helping organizations and civic groups understand the ministry’s mission. As a longtime volunteer, he is excited to experience his first full campaign behind the scenes. Stern oversees communications, marketing, event promotion, and media coverage throughout the campaign season, helping keep the community informed about collections, fundraising milestones, and upcoming activities.
The generosity of Knox County residents continues to make Food For The Hungry possible. FFTH Digital Content and Marketing Director, Olivia Stern highlighted last year’s nearly $400,000 campaign total as an example of how the community comes together to support local families. Cooper-Risser added that he has been encouraged by the willingness of volunteers, churches, businesses, and community organizations to go above and beyond when asked to help.
Both guests emphasized that the need for assistance continues to grow as families face rising grocery prices and other living expenses. Stern shared that the Salvation Army served approximately 1,300 children in 2025 through its youth programs, providing thousands of meals and snacks. Local food pantries, including Interchurch Social Services, have also experienced significant increases in the number of people seeking assistance. These growing needs make community support more important than ever, especially for families, seniors, and caregivers working to make ends meet.
The 2026 campaign goal is $345,000 in recognition of Food For The Hungry’s 45th anniversary. Under the theme “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors,” the campaign supports food pantries, hot meal programs, and community ministries throughout Knox County. Food For The Hungry partners with organizations such as Interchurch Social Services and The Salvation Army while also providing grants to smaller food pantries, meal programs, and local ministries. Cooper-Risser explained that campaign funds stay in Knox County and directly benefit local individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Through partnerships with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, every donated dollar creates approximately $4.56 in food purchasing power. The organization also distributes grants throughout the year, helping local agencies address specific needs and provide food assistance to children, families, and individuals.
Community members can support the 45th anniversary campaign in many ways, including donating, volunteering, organizing food collections, and attending fundraising events. Several special events are planned throughout the campaign season, including the Knox County Jazz Orchestra concert, Patsy Cline tribute performances at the Woodward Opera House, the MVNU Turkey Trot, Fire & Ice, the Mount Vernon Holiday Parade, and the Snowflake Gala. Local high schools and middle schools will also participate in collection drives. Food For The Hungry encourages individuals, businesses, churches, and community groups to organize their own food drives and fundraising events. The organization is happy to help promote these community efforts and share stories about the difference they make. The official Drive Day will take place on December 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knox Memorial Theatre.
Cooper-Risser and Stern encourage everyone to find a way to participate, regardless of the size of their contribution. Whether someone gives financially, donates food, volunteers their time, or attends a fundraising event, every effort helps provide resources for neighbors in need. They also ask the community to pray for volunteers, donors, staff members, and the families receiving assistance throughout the campaign season. Stern said the theme, “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors,” is a reminder of the hope that comes from bringing people together. Cooper-Risser agreed, emphasizing that caring for one another and working together are important in every season. To learn more about the 45th anniversary campaign, upcoming events, collection locations, and ways to get involved, visit foodforthehungrycares.org. Community members can also email director@foodforthehungrycares.org or follow FFTHCares on Facebook and Instagram.
Students at Fredericktown High School are coming together to support local families in need through the school’s annual Food for the Hungry collection. WNZR talked with Truth Yarman and Elisha McGuckin, members of Fredericktown High School’s National Honor Society, about the upcoming collection and how students are working to make a difference.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
The collection will take place November 9–13 and will include both monetary donations and canned goods. Students in the middle school and high school will participate in classroom competitions to see which group can collect the most donations. Posters, flyers, and daily announcements are being used to encourage participation, and a surprise prize awaits the winning group. While the competition adds excitement to the project, Truth and Elisha emphasized that the main goal is to help families facing difficult circumstances.
This year, the students hope to surpass last year’s collection total and make an even greater impact in the community. They highlighted Food for the Hungry’s slogan, “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors,” as a reminder that everyone can play a part in helping others. Even a small donation can make a significant difference when many people come together to give.
Truth and Elisha encourage students, families, and community members to support the collection in whatever way they can. They are looking forward to the Food for the Hungry broadcast on December 11, when students hope to celebrate a successful collection and share the impact of the community’s generosity.
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger is joined by Tanner Cooper Risser, the new Annual Drive and Community Relations Director for Food For the Hungry, to talk about the organization’s mission of caring for neighbors throughout Knox County!
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
Food For the Hungry is an annual food and financial drive that brings the community together to support local needs. Tanner shares about his role working with the board and connecting with the community to spread the word about Food For the Hungry and its mission. He also highlights several upcoming opportunities to get involved, including the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Fire and Ice in December, and the Food For the Hungry Drive and Snowflake Gala on Friday, December 11.
There are many ways to support Food For the Hungry, whether by donating, volunteering, or contributing food. Tanner also encourages the community to pray for open and generous hearts as people consider how they can give their time, energy, food, or financial resources to help their neighbors.
Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!
Food for the Hungry is stepping into a new season, and there are some important updates for the Knox County community.
During a recent conversation on WNZR, Marcy Rinehart talked with Lisa Lloyd, Vice President of the Board of Directors, about a leadership transition and what’s ahead for the organization.
Executive Director Kathy Brechler is moving into full retirement. While she has served in the role for the past two years, her connection to Food for the Hungry goes back to 2011, when she helped launch the Snowflake Gala. She also created Pantry Partners Access Meetings, bringing local food pantries together to share resources and better serve the community.
As the organization looks ahead, the board is now searching for an Annual Drive and Community Relations Director. This role will oversee the December drive, manage community relationships, coordinate events, and help lead grant programs. The goal is to have someone in place by early summer, with a soft application deadline of April 24th.
At the same time, April is a busy month. The Summer Grant Program is open now through noon on April 30th. These grants support organizations providing meals during the summer, especially for students who no longer have access to school breakfasts and lunches.
It’s a reminder that Food for the Hungry serves Knox County all year long—not just during the holidays.
You can stay connected through their Facebook page or by visiting the website, where you’ll find pantry listings, volunteer opportunities, event information, and applications for both the open position and summer grants.
Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!
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!
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!
