Steelers Helping to End Hunger from their Summer Home
Food Drive to be held at the Evening Practice
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On Friday, August 6, the Friday night lights will be shining bright in downtown Latrobe, not only for the Pittsburgh Steelers' evening practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium, but also for their generosity toward those in need in their Westmoreland County summer home.
The Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to express their appreciation to the Westmoreland County community by hosting a food drive to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank (WCFB) for the second year in a row. WCFB serves 15,000 people through a network of hunger fighting organizations throughout Westmoreland County.
"We were so excited that our Pittsburgh Steelers want to help again this year by hosting the Food Drive," said Marlene Kozak, CEO of the Westmoreland County Food Bank. "This could not have come at a better time as we have experienced an influx of families seeking assistance again this year, and community support is imperative for us to realize our vision to end hunger in Westmoreland County."
Last year, fans donated almost 1,000 pounds of food. Community support is key to the success of this food drive as well, as Giant Eagle has pledged again this year to match the number of pounds collected at the drive, and donations will double as a result.
Tents will be set up at both gates for drop offs of non-perishable food donations; staff will be on hand from WCFB to accept donations and answer any questions about the Food Bank and the great work that is being done to end hunger here at home.
For more information about the food drive please visit the Steelers web site at www.steelers.com. Unable to attend the Steelers night practice? Please visit the WCFB web site at www.westmorelandfoodbank.org and participate in the virtual food drive.
About Westmoreland County Food Bank
The Westmoreland County Food Bank serves nearly 15,000 area residents each month including 4,000 children and over 2,000 seniors. WCFB currently has 75 member agencies in their network of emergency feeding sites. Of those, 51 are food pantries in which low income consumers are able to access emergency food assistance throughout the month. Last year (2009), the Food Bank distributed over 6.3 million pounds of food.
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Through a recent Gap Study, the Westmoreland County Food Bank found that there are at least 40,000 people that are in need of food who are not currently being served. WCFB has aligned their Strategic Plan with that of Feeding America®; and are developing a plan to reach the underserved in Westmoreland County.
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50% of the Food Bank's food comes through the federal and state government and 50% from local donations, food drives and Feeding America®. Funding sources include; federal, state and local grants; the United Way; and 25% of funding from donations by the citizens of Westmoreland County. Administrative and fundraising costs account for 5% of the Food Bank's operating budget.
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