FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY – 2026

Food For The Hungry is the annual collection of food and funds to benefit Interchurch Social Services, The Salvation Army, and other food assistance organizations of Knox County. The calendar is full of events and special collections planned to support the annual drive. Donations help stock pantry shelves and give financial assistance to support Knox County's citizens in need.  

For more information, log on to www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org

Food For The Hungry - Working together to care for our neighbors.

Join WNZR at the 45th annual Food for the Hungry drive, Friday, December 11.
We will bring you live updates all day from 9am to 4pm. Join us as we share updates on the total and all activities. We will also be talking with the amazing volunteers of this project. 

Top Food Items Needed

Canned Fruit/Vegetables

Soup (pop-top cans or packages preferred)

Canned Meals (ravioli, Spaghetti-Os, and the like).

Baked Beans

Canned Meat

Here are some of the upcoming events:
All proceeds from these events benefit the Knox County Food For The Hungry drive!

Events:

Food For The Hungry is Kicking Off on Friday, Nov 6th. This year’s goal is $345,000. 

The Knox County Food Council estimates that there are 14,400 people struggling to have enough food in Knox County. The 2026 goal of $345,000 was set with this growing number of people in mind and to acknowledge FFTH’s 45th anniversary. The goal includes supporting Interchurch and The Salvation Army, Winter Grants for food pantries and hot meals, and Summer Grants that prioritize students who rely on free school meals during the school year. Your help is needed for Food For The Hungry to reach its goal! 

Get involved by attending events, donating, volunteering, or even hosting your own event or collection for FFTH! Find all the info you need at www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org. This is a Knox County tradition you won’t want to miss. 

Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County Food For The Hungry Collection.

The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County is collecting non-perishable food, personal care items, pet food, and pet supplies to support Food For The Hungry and the Humane Society. Bring in your donation to any Library Branch from October 12 through December 4, 2026. 

Alcove Dinner Theatre production of Gaslight benefits FFTH on Thursday, October 29. 

The Alcove Dinner Theatre presents Gaslight, adapted by Steven Dietz from Patrick Hamilton's 1939 play. Gaslight thrillingly delves into psychological abuse, where the truth is fickle for characters and audience alike. With undertones of Sherlock Holmes and film noir, it’s a story replete with mystery, double-crosses, and the injustice of emotional abuse. While there are several showtimes, the show on Thursday, October 29 at 6:30PM benefits Food For The Hungry. 

Tickets are available for purchase at AlcoveRestaurant.com/entertainment. Make sure to select “Fundraiser Night” when purchasing tickets. 

Knox Community Jazz Orchestra Concert
For the fifth consecutive year, the Knox Community Jazz Orchestra is proud to support the annual Food For the Hungry Food Drive in Mount Vernon and Knox County with its annual benefit concert. Come out for an evening of Jazz on Saturday, November 14, 7 PM- 8:30 PM at Kenyon College’s Rosse Hall in Gambier. Admission to the concert is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring either a cash donation or a donation of non-perishable food items. 100% of the proceeds will be given  to Food For the Hungry.

Three special Patsy Cline performances support Food For The Hungry!

Step back in time and support Food For The Hungry while you do it! Six Miles to Nellie lead singer, Courtney DeCosky, transforms into Patsy Cline for three shows to celebrate a country music legend, backed by the Nellie band and special guests. Patsy shares her memories of the songs she recorded and their connections to her family and life. With special host, Minnie Pearl, this is a delightful tribute to Patsy’s memorable legacy.

All of the profits from each show go directly to Food For The Hungry to help Knox County residents in need of food assistance. The shows are presented by Food For The Hungry and Six Miles to Nellie. Shows include Friday, November 20 at 7:30pm, Saturday, November 21 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Admission is $25 assigned seating. The performances are held in the historic Woodward Opera House. Tickets are available at www.TheWoodward.org.

The Turkey Trot is back on Thanksgiving morning to support Food for the Hungry!
The 16th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk will take place on Thanksgiving morning, November 26.   

WeRunMV will be hosting this event. Sign-in starts at 8:00 AM on race day at the MVNU Chapel with the race to start at 9:00 AM.  The race will begin and end at the entrance of the Chapel on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. This FREE event is designed for runners and walkers of all ages. Cash and food donations will be collected for the local Food For The Hungry Drive and donated to the Salvation Army and Interchurch Social Services. This is a fun event that gives you a wonderful start to your Thanksgiving Day. What better way to count your blessings than to run or walk with friends and give to others?! Plus, this race will help you make room for all the turkey and other great food you are going to eat later in the day. This event is open to everyone! Canines welcome!
For more information, contact Scott Burgess at 740-326-0750.   

For every $1.00 we raise, our community partner agencies can purchase $4.56 worth of food from the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Mid-Ohio Food Collective can do that for $4.56!   

For more information about this or other Food For The Hungry activities, visit www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org 

Knox County Park District’s Fire and Ice 

Join us on Saturday, December 5, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for a spectacular luminary adventure at Honey Run Waterfall! This event is to support Food for the Hungry of Knox County, so shelf-stable food donations and/or monetary contributions are welcomed and encouraged. Park your vehicle at the Millwood Church of Christ located at 10900 Millersburg Road, Howard, Ohio. Here you may donate, if desired, to Food for the Hungry, then board a free Knox Area Transit shuttle that will take you to the Honey Run Waterfall. Beautiful luminaries will line the walkway to and around the waterfall area, providing a holiday ambiance for all to enjoy. 

Food For The Hungry LIVE
Food For The Hungry LIVE is almost here! The Live Broadcast begins on Friday, Dec. 11 at

9 A.M. and continues until 4 P.M.

FFTH Live will be available on 100.9 FM and 93.7 HD2 - WMVO, with a video stream on WNZR.TV and the FFTH YouTube channel.

Updates will be given throughout the day on 90.9 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. 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, follow FFTH on social media or log on to www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org.
Food For The Hungry is celebrating 45 years of working together to care for our neighbors.

Watch the Food For The Hungry LIVE Broadcast on WNZR.TV and YouTube on Friday, Dec 11th!