HELPS SACK HUNGER

The Food Bank Counts on Hometown Fans

            The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are teaming up to sack hunger. Sunday, September 24th marks the Annual Steelers Food Drive at Heinz Field that benefits the Food Bank.

Fans attending the game are asked to bring nutritious non-perishable food and grocery items (list of most desired items at the end of this release) to Heinz Field on Sunday, September 24th, when the Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals. They may also make cash donations to Food Bank volunteers who will be stationed at the gates.

            "The Food Bank serves around 120,000 thousand people," said Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Food Bank. "That's Heinz Field filled up twice. If every fan brought just one can of food, or contributed one dollar, the Food Bank would realize enough food and/or buying power for over 40,000 meals for hungry children."

Food Bank collection barrels and volunteers will be at gates A, B and C, and the Food Bank truck will be parked along Art Rooney Avenue, from 10:00 am until a little after kickoff at 1:00 pm. Fans who bring a bag of grocery items will receive an official Super Bowl Championship picture of the Steelers (while supplies last).

            Fans watching the game on TV can still help the Steelers feed hungry people by checking out the Steelers Virtual Food Drive!   For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can purchase $5.00 worth of groceries, plus all online donations are tax deductible.

Other Steelers efforts continue to help the Food Bank as well. The most recent of those efforts includes the Chunky Soup "Tackling Hunger" Campaign. Most years, Campbell's Soup donates the weight of the Super Bowl team quarterback and his mom to the local food bank. Ben Roethlisberger's "weigh-in" was delayed due to his recent surgery, but the 6-5, 241-pound Roethlisberger and his mom, plus 6-8, 337-pound r offensive tackle Max Starks and his mom will be re-scheduled to present the soup to the Food Bank. Former Steeler Antwaan Randle El conducted a Thanksgiving food drive for the past three years in conjunction with Dick's Sporting Goods, providing 200 families turkeys and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal. Other Steelers and alumni well known as Food Bank friends include Chris Hoke, Franco Harris, Larry Brown, J.T. Thomas and Jerome Bettis.

            "When community leaders like the Steelers step forward, their help goes far beyond the actual food and funds they collect," said Rothermel. "Their visibility increases awareness throughout the region and reminds everyone that some of their neighbors struggle every day with food insecurity."

 

CLICK TO DONATE - Steelers Virtual Food Drive

About GPCFB

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, a member of America's Second Harvest, is a nonprofit organization committed to eliminating hunger and developing collaborative strategies to encourage self-reliance in southwestern Pennsylvania. Distributing more than 17 million pounds of food per year to 350 member agencies, the Food Bank serves approximately 120,000 people per month, of whom 37,000 are children. Located in an award-winning "green" warehouse in Duquesne, the Food Bank depends upon private and corporate donors, and volunteers who help with food repackaging, clerical work, special events, and harvesting activities. For every $1.00 donated, the Food Bank is able to purchase $5.00 worth of goods and services. www.pittsburghfoodbank.org

Most-needed items:  Canned meats, tuna (water-packed), canned beans, low-sugar cereal, peanut butter, canned juice (100% juice), canned vegetables and fruit (packed in juice). Paper products, personal care items, diapers (baby and adult). Non-perishable items only; no glass containers please.

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