MOUNT VERNON — Hunger is on the rise, both in the United States and here in Knox County. To symbolize the need, Food for the Hungry’s annual entry in the Mount Vernon Christmas Parade is composed of empty shopping carts pushed along the route by the drive’s six corporate partners: Time Warner Cable, BAS Broadcasting (News Talk Radio 13WMVO and Eagle 93.7 WQIO), Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Nelson and Nelson CPAs, WNZR Radio 90.9 FM and the Mount Vernon News.
This year’s Christmas Parade will be Sunday and entries will be passing through downtown Mount Vernon beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Guests can place items in the shopping carts as they pass by. All food collected at the parade will go to the food pantries at Interchurch and The Salvation Army.
These pantries have released a list of the top 10 food items needed: canned meat (chicken, tuna), beef stew/hearty soups, canned pasta, boxed dinners (Hamburger Helper), peanut butter, spaghetti/spaghetti sauce, cereal (hot and cold), baked beans/kidney/chili beans, noodles/instant rice/potatoes, canned fruits and vegetables.
The pantries also need the following items called “taxables” that cannot be purchased with food stamps: toilet paper, dish soap, laundry soap, hand soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, tissues and paper towels.
For more information about the Food for the Hungry drive, visit FoodForTheHungryCares.org.
Published on November 21, 2012
