donations

LAZER 103.3’s Walking Fed Food Drive raises $36,680 for Central Iowans fighting hunger

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LAZER 103.3’s Walking Fed, presented by Confluence Brewing Company, is a mission to fight food insecurity for kids across Central Iowa heading into spring break with the Food Bank of Iowa. In 2024, they raised over $29,000 and sought to reach a higher goal of $30,000 this year.

Thanks to the help of LAZER 103.3 listeners, The Walking Fed raised $36,680 between donations collected online and a charity auction. The Walking Fed auction included autographed guitars signed by Chevelle and Motley Crue, a drumhead signed by Godsmack, a Zamboni ride at an Iowa Wild Game, a first pitch at an Iowa Cubs game, and other experiences like joining a LAZER jock at a concert and having Heather Lee officiate a wedding.

The event was headlined by a 12-hour ‘Rock In’ broadcast on March 7, 2025, featuring Heather & Wickett, Suzi, and Styles hosting their shows from the Food Bank of Iowa. The Walking Fed presenting sponsor Confluence Brewing Company matched the first $5,000 in donations and also joined us to volunteer during the ‘Rock In’ event.

 

In the last 8 years, LAZER 103.3’s The Walking Fed has raised over $143,000 for the Food Bank of Iowa. The Walking Fed Food Drive, Confluence Brewing Company, and LAZER 103.3 are proud supporters of the Food Bank of Iowa. The Food Bank of Iowa strives to meet the critical needs of a diverse population through its network of partner agencies in 55 Iowa counties. The partners include food pantries, community meal sites, shelters, daycares, and residential care centers, as well as child and senior programs, including the School Pantry Program serving over 100 schools and the BackPack program, serving over 5,000+ kids.

Prom Dreams Come True at Saga Lafayette’s 2025 ‘Gown Town’

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Saga Communications’ Lafayette Media Group, including K-105 (WKOA) and B102.9 (WXXB), hosted its 16th annual Gown Town event on March 6. The event provided hundreds of high school girls with free prom dresses, thanks to locally donated gowns.

The stations promoted the event throughout February across their on-air, online, and social media platforms, encouraging the community to donate gently used dresses. Donations are accepted year-round, ensuring the annual event remains a reliable resource for families in need.

Attendees traveled from across Northern Indiana and surrounding counties, with some coming from as far as sixty miles away. A local mother expressed her gratitude, adding, “It is very hard out there right now,” underscoring the significance of the event for families facing tight budgets.

The event underwent a smooth transition of station ownership, with the cluster changing hands from Neuhoff Media to Saga in June as part of Neuhoff’s divestment of its radio properties.

Operations Manager Joe Lacay emphasized the impact of the event, stating, “We know there is a need. And, if people are willing to donate their unwanted dresses to help out high school girls who cannot afford one, we will gladly take them and continue to put on this event each year.”

Rock 102 hosts raise over $236,000 in donations at the annual “Mayflower Marathon” to benefit the Open Pantry of Springfield, MA

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SPRINGFIELD, MA – For the 31st consecutive year, Rock 102 hosted their annual Mayflower Marathon food drive to benefit Springfield’s Open Pantry. This year, the tradition returned to MGM Springfield for the three days leading up to Thanksgiving. Bax & Nagle broadcast for 52 hours while collecting non-perishable food donations for the Open Pantry of Springfield. As the Open Pantry continues to see growing demand for their services, the need for donations of non-perishable food items is constant. The outpouring of support from local residents and businesses (The Springfield Thunderbirds, Capitol Relocation and Logistics, XFINITY, Camping World of West Hatfield, Arment Trucking and many more) was unprecedented this year and helped to fill multiple trailers to raise over $236,000 in food and cash donations at MGM Springfield. This is a new record in the fundraiser’s 31st year.

 

96.5 Live Free Country and Manchester Media Group Announce Record-Breaking “Tons of Turkeys” Event

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MANCHESTER, NH – In a remarkable show of community spirit, 96-5 Live Free Country, Hannaford Supermarkets, and the Manchester Media Group successfully hosted their annual “Tons of Turkeys” event on Saturday, November 23rd, benefiting the New Hampshire Food Bank. This year, the six participating Hannaford locations collected an astounding 18 tons of turkeys, surpassing last year’s total by a significant margin.

Promotions and Events Director Laura Stelchook, who also serves as the morning host for Live Free Country, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support from Southern New Hampshire residents. “Year after year, it is amazing to watch how we all find a way to make it out, to help our neighbors in need. We even had one family from Londonderry donate $1,000 worth of turkeys,” Stelchook said.

The event took place concurrently at multiple Hannaford locations in Manchester, Goffstown, and Bedford, New Hampshire, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It exemplifies the Manchester Media Group’s ongoing commitment to partnering with local businesses and community members to address food insecurity in the region.

Market President Lucy Lange commented on the event’s success, stating, “This year’s 96.5 Live Free Country Tons of Turkeys event highlights our community’s incredible generosity. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need support, especially during the holiday season.”

96.5 Live Free Country Program Director Michael Czarnecki added, “I could not be prouder of our team and the Southern New Hampshire community. The engagement of our listeners to help is incredible, and this event truly reflects the spirit of giving”.

The Manchester Media Group extends heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, donors, and local businesses who made this year’s Tons of Turkeys event a resounding success. Together, we are helping to ensure families in need can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this season.

 

 

FM99 and 106.9 The Fox Mayflower Marathon Food Drive Helps the Local Foodbanks in Norfolk

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756,000 meals (and counting) will be served thanks to donations made at the FM99 & 106.9 The Fox 27th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive presented by Bud’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electric.

The annual food drive took place simultaneously at five locations from 5:30am on Friday, 11/17 until 3pm on Sunday, 11/19. On the southside, the locations were Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach and Kroger in North Suffolk. On the peninsula, donations were collected at Kroger at Coliseum Central in Hampton and Kroger in Tabb. For the first time, there was a donation location at the Moyock Welcome Center.

All food and monetary donations collected in Virginia Beach and Suffolk went to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. All donations made at the Hampton and Tabb locations went to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. All donations collected at the Moyock Welcome Center benefit the Foodbank of the Albemarle.

Carol Commander, General Manager of WNOR and WAFX: “The shelves at the Foodbank are overflowing with much needed donations thanks to the support of our generous listeners and client partners. The FM99 and 106.9 The Fox 27th Annual Mayflower Marathon will create more than 756,000 meals! Thanks to the Foodbanks and everyone who made a donation for helping to feed Hampton Roads!”

“Mayflower Marathon always reminds us that we all have the power to uplift our neighbors,” said Christopher Tan, President and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “Our sincere thanks extend to all the donors and volunteers who made this weekend a success and especially to FM99 and 106.9 The Fox for their role in spreading the warmth of holiday meals to every table in our community.”

 

“We and our partner food pantries are so grateful for the generosity of our friends on the Peninsula during this weekend’s Mayflower Marathon. As more of our neighbors struggle to put food on their tables this year, it is heartwarming to know that the community has come together once again to ensure that everyone has a happy Thanksgiving and a holiday season free from worry about feeding their families,” said Karen Joyner, CEO of Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.

“We are thankful to everyone for their support of our first year participating in the Mayflower Marathon,” said Liz Reasoner, Executive Director of the Foodbank of the Albemarle. “Too many families across Northeast North Carolina are struggling to keep food on their tables. Thanks to the sponsors and the community this year we can help make people’s lives better and build healthy, hunger-free communities for all.”