KEZK's "Christmas in July" Drive Results in More Than 34,000 Meals for Local Families in Need

Month-long food- and fund-drive benefits St. Louis Area Foodbank 

St. Louis (August 5, 2007) – In response to the growing need for food assistance during the summer months, Soft Rock 102.5 partnered with the St. Louis Area Foodbank to collect food and funds during the station’s “Christmas in July” event.  Listeners were encouraged to drop off food donations at area Dave Mungenast Automotive Family dealerships and select Heartland Bank locations throughout the month of July.  Those unable to drop off canned goods were encouraged to make a donation online through a new “Virtual Food Drive” which allowed donors to “purchase” items and donate to the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

To help promote the event, for the first time in its history, KEZK Radio, Soft Rock 102.5, changed its regular programming and played Christmas music for 24 hours straight to raise funds and food donations for the St. Louis Area Foodbank on Wednesday, July 25.  “People really noticed when they turned their radio on and heard Christmas music on a sunny day with temperatures in the 80’s.” according to KEZK Director of Programming Mark Edwards.  “We wanted to really get out the word about our Christmas In July food drive, and playing Christmas music seemed to really get people’s attention.”

At the conclusion of the month, the event had collected more than 2,600 pounds of food and more than $6,400 in funds.  Independently audited statements show the Foodbank distributes more than 6 pounds of food for every dollar donated – helping turn this event into 34,000 meals for local families in need.  “Most of the product distributed by the St. Louis Area Foodbank is donated by food manufacturers all across the country,” stated Frank Finnegan, executive director.  “The food itself is free – but the transportation from the manufacturer to our distribution center in St. Louis is not.  Because of that, the Foodbank can do a tremendous amount with financial gifts – and spends 97% of donations strictly on food distribution.  KEZK and its listening audience should be proud of the ongoing impact this event will have throughout the community.  In addition to helping collect food for families in need, they helped provide a platform to educate people on the importance of hunger-relief,” Finnegan concluded.

The success of the event came at a much-needed time for the Foodbank as the organization and the 500 partner agencies it serves struggle to meet the increase in requests for food assistance that typically come during the summer months.

About CBS Radio:  KEZK-FM is owned and operated by CBS RADIO, one of the largest major-market radio operators in the United States.  A division of CBS Corporation, CBS RADIO operates 144 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation’s top 50 markets.  CBS RADIO also owns and operates KYKY-FM and KMOX-AM in St. Louis.

About The St. Louis Area Foodbank:  The St. Louis Area Foodbank feeds hungry people by distributing food through its member agencies, and educates the public about the nature of and the solutions to the problems of hunger.  The Foodbank gathers and distributes nearly 13.4 million pounds of food each year to 500+ food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and emergency feeding programs throughout 14 counties in eastern Missouri and 12 counties in southwestern Illinois.