Category: Mount Vernon OH

Interchurch Social Services Branches talk about Food For The Hungry and their needs

Interchurch Social Service Branches in Centerburg, Danville, Fredericktown Are Gearing Up for Food For The Hungry!

Click HERE for all three conversations!

Sheryl O’Neil with the Centerburg Branch, Cindy Martin in Danville, and Katie Frazier in Fredericktown all talk about their time with Interchurch Social Services and the Food For the Hungry. They talk about their needs including what to donate and how they can turn $1 in $4.56 worth of food through the Mid Ohio Collective.

They also explain how monetary donations also benefit people with uncommon needs such as avoiding utility cutoff and eviction.

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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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WNZR presents the December 2024 MVNU Presidential Update

MVNU’s President, Dr. Carson Castleman, talked with WNZR for our monthly MVNU Update.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Dr. Castleman shared his thoughts about fall semester at MVNU and plans for 2025.
We covered many topics including:

  • Enrollment numbers for Spring 2025
  • Top priorities for 2025
  • Fundraising campaign updates for the Chapel Project and the “On Deck Campaign” for MVNU Baseball
  • How giving to MVNU changes lives
  • Exciting events coming to MVNU in 2025
  • Dr. Carson Castleman highlights some exciting events coming up on his calendar and the MVNU calendar, including several trips for the Castleman family.
  • He shares special Christmas messages for MVNU students, faculty and staff.
  • He also shares how we can pray for MVNU and his family in the month of December.

Click HERE to stay up to date with news from MVNU.

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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 Knox County Career Center Online Auction to benefit Food For The Hungry is back for 2024

Jim Riggle, Principal of Academics, Attendance and Discipline at the Knox County Career Center stopped by WNZR to talk about how the Knox County Career Center is collecting donations for Food For The Hungry.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation and descriptions of each basket!
He shared some amazing results from his time in the dunk tank at the KCCC Open House. He also talked about several competitions between student labs including the popular Coin Wars.
The Annual Online Auction of Themed Baskets is LIVE!
Jim shared the details of 20 different items that are up for bid, including 15 themed baskets. You can bid on a Family Fun Basket, The Blonde Robin Basket, Date Night Baskets, Car Care Baskets, the popular Foodies Basket, Girls Day Out, Guys Day Out and many more!
There are also individual items up for bid including a Yamaha Electric Bicycle and two packages of 20 pounds of Pork!
These baskets have a combined value of over $8,000 in donations!
Go to this site and place your bid: 32auctions.com/KCCCFFTH2024
The bidding closes on Friday, 12/13 at 3pm.

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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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November 2024 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 11/29/24.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shares the progress of these projects:
  • Northend culverts on Old Mansfield Rd, storm water problems as well.
  • East Vine St sidewalk project
  • Catherine St. project
  • New Court House Design

  • Mayor Starr gives updates from City Departments:
    • Engineering – entered into a contract with the county for the Knox Cattle Company dam
    • Streets and Parks – preparing for winter, leaf pickup, snowplow names and installation of new LED bulbs for streetlights
    • Public Buildings and Lands – construction update, water hydrants, and replacing sidewalks on the public square
    • Revamping of the Auditor’s office
    • Sidewalks on public square – 1260 square feet have been replaced so that it is safer for people to walk
    • Public Utilities – update on the Water and Wastewater Plant (concerning Ohio EPA-mandated phosphorus reduction in the outflow).  
    • Parks Department – park bathrooms are being *winterized*. Getting downtown ready for CHRISTMAS!! Update on the Splash Pad project
  • Mayor Starr shares his thoughts about the election results over the two referendums that failed. He shares the plan for those areas. We also talk about voter turnout.
  • Mayor Starr talks about the city’s electric aggregation program. There was some recent concern after residents received a letter from AEP. Energy Harbor sold to Dynegy (new company).
  • Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • Wastewater Treatment Plant update
    • Latest news on the new police station and municipal courthouse. The City Council has authorized the design phase. Legislation is approved that is allowing requests for qualifications. Courthouse RFQ’s have come in.
    • Reserve balance account. Rainy day fund.
    • Camping in parks for educational community events.
    • Columbus Delano fields. Pollinator gardens.
  • Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • New tasers
    • Welcome to new Officer Brookhunter.
  • Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
    • Update on Training
    • Grant from Homeland Security for hazmat equipment
  • Jeff Gottke, Area Development Director went on a trip with Knox Pages to Sherwood, Oregon. Their goal was to gather information about how an Intel plant impacted an area that is similar to Mount Vernon. The project is called “Intel – Beyond the Chip”. Mayor Starr shares some important findings that Jeff brought back to him and his administration. A full report is coming next week. Growth can happen to us or with us.
  • Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shares a list of events on the December Calendar including the new budgeting process for 2025.
  • Mayor Starr shares his immediate goals for December and how we can pray for him and his team.


To stay in touch with the City, go to:

  • Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
  • Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
  • X – CityMV1805
  • YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
  • LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio
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Thanksgiving Thoughts with the Big Blue Crew

Happy Thanksgiving from WNZR.
Here are some thoughts about this special holiday for our WNZR Staff. You will hear from our Administrative Staff (Joe, Marcy and Sue), hosts of The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive, Student Leadership Team members and NEW students taking Intro to Radio at MVNU.
Click HERE to hear the conversation or click on the link below.
We hope you enjoy them sharing about traditions, favorite foods and what they are thankful for this year.
Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for YOU!

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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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