Hundreds of people — each giving a little — have helped set a record to feed hungry area families through the Drive-Thru Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania.

A record 8,016 pounds of food, $7,442.52 in donations and 81 turkeys were collected at The Meadville Tribune on Wednesday. The previous collection records were 7,211 pounds of food, $5,587 in donations and 49 turkeys.

Chuck Fleek said he gave because he has known the humility of what it’s like to be on the receiving end of aid.

“I have a job now — I just recently got it — and a lot of people don’t,” said Fleek of Meadville, who stopped by to donate $20. “I wanted to try and help out. It’s nice that people are getting together to help out in times like this.”

This was the fourth year in a row the Tribune joined forces with media partners WICU-TV of Erie and WMVL-FM Cool 101.7 for the drive to benefit Second Harvest, which distributes to food pantries across the region, including eight in Crawford County.

All of the non-perishable food collected remains in the area where it’s collected, said Rita Orinko of Second Harvest.

“It’s just gratifying to see the Meadville community come together to help those in need,” said Orinko.

Valerie Nye of Meadville offered $20 and a box of food because she had read about the plight of local

food banks in a recent Tribune news story.

“I wanted to do what I could,” she said. “I’m going to have a nice Thanksgiving and I want everybody to.”

Dodie Gagen, Tribune advertising representative who coordinated Wednesday’s local collection, was overwhelmed by the response of the community.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful day,” said Gagen. “I never expected we’d do this well.”

The record numbers show the true strength of the community, said Sharon Sorg, Tribune publisher.

“When there are people in need in Crawford County, we all dig deep and do whatever it takes,” said Sorg. “ ‘Thank You’ is simply not enough for all those who donated, the volunteers who spent countless hours with us — Cool 101.7, Valesky’s, Allegh-eny College, Vocelli Pizza, Meadville Farm and Garden and The Meadville Tribune staff who work very hard to make this event successful.”

There were numerous volunteers throughout the day including Homeless Outreach, some 90 student volunteers from Allegheny College and six from the AmeriCorps VISTA project of northwest Pennsylvania.

In addition to non-perishable food, every $1 donated buys $17 worth of food for Second Harvest. The organization buys in bulk through discount suppliers, including the federal government.

The donations collected in Crawford County benefit food pantries run by Center for Family Services, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, The Salvation Army of Meadville and Faith & Fellowship Food Pantry, all of Meadville; the Linesville Food Pantry; and Associated Charities, Titusville Area Food Pantry and St. James Food Cupboard in Titusville.

The drive has collected a significant amount of food and cash over the years.

Last year, the local effort collected $4,739.34, as well as 5,748 pounds of food and 34 turkeys during the drive.

The previous record total cash donations were in 2007 when $5,587 was collected in Meadville along with 6,484 pounds of food — including 35 turkeys and two hams.

The previous local record for food donations was in 2006 when 7,211 pounds of food were collected along with 49 turkeys and one ham. Cash donations raised during the 2006 drive totaled $4,599.



Juniper has 1,000 pound goal

Juniper Village at Meadville, an assisted living community, is challenging itself and the Meadville community to collect at least 1,000 pounds of canned food and dry goods during the month of November to benefit Meadville’s Center for Family Services Food Pantry.

Food Drive grocery bags will be available in locations throughout Meadville; including the Meadville City Building, Market House and Byham Insurance. These grocery bags can be used to collect and donate items.

The grocery bags or other food donations can be dropped off any time during the month of November at Juniper Village, 455 Chestnut St.

Residents of Juniper Village will weigh, sort and pack the donated items to take to the Center for Family Services Food Pantry.

“Juniper Village knows it takes a village to live a full life. People need each other’s company, they need each other’s support, and they often need each other’s assistance,” said Juniper’s executive director, Tonya Moyer. “This holiday season, Juniper Village wants to partner with you to help assure that both body and soul are fed for everyone living and working in the greater Meadville community.”



Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.