Related Links: About MVNU | Food For The Hungry Site

Students, faculty and staff have set a goal to donate more than $5,000 and 5 truckloads of food. Student donations will be collected in the residence halls and apartments and faculty and staff will bring their donations to the President’s Christmas Reception on Friday, Dec. 4. A special chapel service will be held on campus on Monday, Nov. 23, emphasizing Food For The Hungry, how donations will be used in the community and how people can get involved.

The University is also challenging area high schools for the 15th year to donate to Food For The Hungry with the Stanley Can Competition. Knox County Career Center received the trophy last year, which remains with the winning school until next year’s drive.

During the Food For The Hungry’s live broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 12, MVNU will award the Stephen W. Zelkowitz Memorial Award to Denny Irwin posthumously. Irwin faithfully served his community in a variety of capacities. Through the Lions, he and fellow volunteers staffed the Food For The Hungry donation locations on the day of the broadcast for 15 years. He was also responsible for spearheading the weighing of the trucks of food in front of City Hall, and served as the liaison between Food For The Hungry, the state Highway Patrol and Mount Vernon Farmer’s Co-op for the truck weighing. His volunteer spirit is greatly missed by all involved with the food drive.

Two $500 scholarships will also be given to two MVNU students from the Knox County area who exhibit financial need and are involved in community service. This award is made possible through generous funds provided by the late Helen Zelkowitz, a champion of Food For The Hungry throughout the years.

WNZR 90.9 FM, a broadcast ministry of MVNU, is heavily involved in Food For The Hungry, providing coverage of all activities leading up to the drive and the day of the drive. MVNU video broadcasting students have also supported the drive by assisting in the development of promotional materials and operating equipment during the broadcast.

Students at Esther Jetter Preschool are collecting food items for Food For The Hungry as well. The three-, four- and five-year-olds are working together to fill a grocery cart in their classroom (donated by Neff’s Cardinal Market). During their annual Christmas program on Tuesday, Dec. 8, a special guest from Interchurch will be on hand to accept the cart of food. The public is welcome to attend the program; suggested admission fee is one can of food, which will go to Food For The Hungry.

MVNU encourages community members to visit the Schnormeier Gallery located downtown in MVNU’s Buchwald Center at 211 S. Main Street. Psi Iota Xi is displaying their holiday auction items in the gallery from Nov. 28 through Dec. 4. The silent auction will take place on Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. to benefit Food For The Hungry.

The University is also proud to have one of its own, 2002 graduate Sandy Rhoton, directing Food For The Hungry efforts this year. Her expertise and experience in event planning and execution, community connections and passion to make a difference establish her as a qualified candidate for a successful drive leader.

If you have questions about any of MVNU’s Food For The Hungry activities, please contact the Special Events office at (740) 397-9000, ext. 4351, or events@mvnu.edu. Visit www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org to learn more about the drive, its various activities and how you can be involved.