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Food and Fundraising Drives Big Success for Pittsburgh Area

How do you define success? Try this definition: during a single week in November, the students of West Mifflin Area School District collected 12,741 pounds of food for the Food Bank, through their 2013 “Fill the Bus” food drive. Two – count ’em, two! – big yellow school buses were stuffed to bursting with over six tons of canned and other non-perishable foods donated by West Mifflin residents. And the students didn’t stop there; they also collected $2,000 in monetary donations, all to help their neighbors in need.

One school, Clara Barton Elementary, collected 1,568 items! The top student contributors were rewarded with a trip to the Consol Energy Center to watch the Penguins practice, and with the satisfaction of knowing that their hard work will help families throughout our region.

The West Mifflin students were the top contributors among many, many Food Bank friends who have held food and fundraising drives in recent months, generating tons of donations – literally.

The University of Pittsburgh “Pack the Pete” drive was another smashing success, in which 7,153 pounds of food were donated over a five-day period – 2,000 pounds above last year’s total. “Pack the Pete” is an annual food drive sponsored by the Pitt Athletic Department at the Petersen Events Center. CBS Radio partnered with Pitt, broadcasting all day long from the Petersen Center lobby to accept donations from Pitt students, faculty, staff and fans. Fans also brought donations to the Pitt-Lehigh game November 20.

We wish we could single out each and every one of the food drive groups and sing their praises here, but there are so many that we don’t enough space! Here are a few of the most successful drives:

  • Carnegie Mellon University collected 8,231 and over $7,300 to-date
  • The Paralegals food drive gathered 5,759 pounds
  • BNY Mellon collected 4,906 pounds
  • Bishop Canevin High School brought in a total of 2,626 pounds
  • Rivers Casino collected 1,956 pounds

Other groups that held highly successful food drives include Pittsburgh Pulmonary, St. Sebastian School, AIU Waterfront, American Textile, Express Scripts and National Energy Technology. We want to graciously extend our thanks to all of the groups, large and small, who worked so hard to help the Food Bank carry out our mission. At this time of year, their efforts are especially meaningful as families face the holidays and the tough winter months ahead.

Bravo, Food Bank supporters, and thank you – we could not do it without you!

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